The leading cause of death for Minnesota’s 15 to 18 year olds is traffic crashes—resulting in 63 deaths in 1999. The next three leading causes of death (suicide, cancer and homicide) together totaled 56. Studies have found that belt use among this population is lower than the general population. Additionally, there are virtually no local organizations targeting teens specifically with a seat belt message.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The goal of the Operation Educate Teens grant program was to:

• Increase seat belt use among 15 to 18 year olds across the state;

• Create a program that was easy for local governmental entities to implement;

• Utilize peer teaching strategies to educate students;

• Increase awareness and activity levels of public health departments and local law enforcement agencies in addressing belt use among high school students; and

• Make funds available for local agencies to implement programs.

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

The Hennepin County Community Health Department had implemented a successful Seat Belt Challenge program in Minneapolis area high schools. The Department was awarded the J. Howard Beard Award from the National Association of City and County Health Officials for this program. In conjunction with the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), they created a “how-to manual” for local entities. This Seat Belt Challenge Handbook was used as a foundation for the Operation Educate Teens grant program.

Local governmental entities could apply for grants of up to $15,000 to implement a month-long seat belt challenge between a minimum of three area high schools. The government entity, serving as the lead agency, would recruit area high schools and a community partner liaison for each participating school. Each community partner works closely with a student group when organizing activities. The actual Challenge takes place over four weeks as student groups conduct activities that increase belt use among their peers. Awards are given to schools that have increased belt use by the greatest percent and achieved the highest belt use. The grant program, which included detailed information concerning teen crashes and belt use, was promoted to public health educators, school districts and local law enforcement agencies.   

RESULTS

Twenty agencies received grants to conduct Challenges during the 2001-02 school year (many were also able to sponsor activities at schools before the end of the 2000-01 year). Five police departments, three school districts, and twelve county public health departments served as lead coordinators. (Two-year grant contracts were written covering federal fiscal year 2001 and 2002.)

The Challenges were typically between three or four schools; however, Hennepin County’s Challenge included 20 schools. In all, 77 senior high schools (or 38 percent of Minnesota’s high schools) participated in Challenge activities across the state.

To measure the effectiveness of the program, seat belt use rates were taken before and after Challenge activities began through observational surveys. Grantee’s reported an average pre-belt use rate of 64 percent and a post-rate of 76 percent (with an average 19 percent increase).

The program 2001 crash data concerning fatalities among 15 to 18 year olds is detailed in the table below. Interestingly, the statewide seat belt use rate only moved from 73 percent to 74 percent in 2001. Although a complete evaluation of the program cannot be made until 2003, the preliminary results are very promising. This was the first year in which grant funds were made available directly to local organizations to conduct belt education among this age group; it is the only new traffic safety initiative conducted statewide during this time period.

Minnesota’s Motor Vehicle Occupant Fatalities