MARYLAND-Battle of the Belts

MARYLAND
Battle of the Belts

PROJECT CHARACTERISTICS		PROGRAM AREA(S)
	Easy to replicate Innovative or non-traditional approach Strong evaluation component Targets hard-to-reach/at risk population Outstanding collaborative effort		Youth Programs Occupant Protection

TYPE OF JURISDICTION
	County

TARGETED POPULATION(S)		JURISDICTION SIZE
	Youth		120,420

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
Although the Southern Maryland Crash Profile for 1996 confirmed Charles County, Maryland to have one of the highest seat belt use rates in the region (72.4 percent), county traffic crash morbidity and mortality rates were higher than statewide averages. Results from surveys conducted at county high school parking lots revealed an inconsistent and lower than average use of seat belts by student drivers and occupants, indicating a possible source of the problem.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The goal of the Battle of the Belts campaign was to reduce crash-related fatalities and injuries in Charles County, Maryland. Objectives of the project included:

Developing a new seat belt use educational program
Targeting student drivers and motor vehicle occupants
Promoting collaboration among county school faculty, school administration, health department staff and law enforcement
Publicizing the new project and results of the campaign

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
In the Fall of 1997, the Charles County Community Highway Traffic Safety Program developed a strategy to reduce Charles County's crash-related morbidity and mortality rates, using five simple, yet effective, activities:

The Charles County Sheriff's Office was enlisted to conduct two seat belt use surveys at each of the five county high schools. The first survey was conducted in August, as students arrived back from summer vacations. The second survey was conducted after three weeks of occupant protection education
Each of the five high schools was provided with educational materials promoting seat belt use
A seat belt use campaign, the Battle of the Belts, was coordinated within each school by school faculty, administration and the Charles County Health Department nursing staff. The campaign promoted healthy competition among the five high schools, challenging students to improve their seat belt use rate
At the conclusion of the Battle of the Belts campaign, two awards were presented: one high school received an award for the most improved rate of seat belt use, and one school received an award for the highest seat belt use rate
The Battle of the Belts campaign, the results of the battle, and the awards presentation ceremony were publicized on television, radio and in the newspaper

RESULTS
The Battle of the Belts campaign has been conducted at the five Charles County high schools for two years, and the results indicate the following increases in seat belt use for both student drivers and occupants:

In 1997, survey results showed a 5.8 percent increase in seat belt use by student drivers and a 10.4 percent increase by occupants
In 1998, survey results revealed a 6 percent increase in seat belt use by student drivers and a 7 percent increase by occupants

FUNDING
	Section 402:	$3,200
CONTACT
	Kay Zalesney Project Director Charles County Community Highway Traffic Safety Program Charles County Community College P.O. Box 910 LaPlata, MD 20646 (301) 934–7563

NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION

WINTER 1999