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PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
According to data from the South Dakota Department of Transportation,
a total of 150 South Dakota residents were killed and 7,574 were injured
in motor vehicle crashes during 1999. Of the 150 crash fatalities, 62
(41.3 percent) were alcohol-related. Further, 67.2 percent of motor
vehicle occupants killed, and 33.5 percent of occupants injured in traffic
crashes were not using safety restraints.
Although motorists under 25 years of age represent only 18.8 percent
of South Dakota's total number of licensed drivers, they account for
27.6 percent of drivers involved in fatal traffic crashes, and 36.3
percent of drivers in injury crashes. Occupant restraint use is also
lower among youthful drivers.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
To help reduce the number of fatal and injury traffic crashes
involving motorists under the age of 15, the South Dakota Department
of Health initiated the Join A Winning Team Seat Belt Promotion
during the 2000-2001 school year. Primary objectives of the program
are to:
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Increase seat belt use among students in kindergarten through
grade 12
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Develop partnerships between South Dakota Safe Communities coalitions
and schools throughout the state
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Enlist school and community support to provide traffic safety
educational programs to an additional 25 communities statewide,
including 8 on the Indian Reservation
STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
The Join A Winning Team Seat Belt Promotion was developed
through a partnership between the South Dakota Highway Safety Office
and local Safe Communities coalitions. The program is being piloted
in three communities, Milbank, Leola and Eureka, during the 2000-2001
school year. Prior to program implementation, an observational survey
was conducted, recording seat belt use by drivers and passengers arriving
at schools in the pilot communities. Drivers consisted of all individuals
involved in the transport process of the educational system, including
parents, students, faculty and bus operators. Using this information,
seat belt use rates were established for all participating schools.
A series of injury prevention activities were integrated into the curricula
of participating schools, targeting students in kindergarten through
grade 12. Local public health, medical emergency medical services, fire
law enforcement and judicial professionals provided topical presentations
to students on a quarterly basis. Activities undertaken in participating
schools include:
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Developing a school-specific banner containing a project slogan
and school mascot or logo, to be displayed at school athletic events,
concerts and parades
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Creating a Hero Program to recognize students who actively
participate in injury prevention activities, using celebrity athletes
as role models, and including student safety pledges
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Encouraging neighboring schools to establish inter-school competitions
to help increase seat belt use among students, faculty and community
members
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Providing $1,500 mini-grants from the South Dakota Department of
Health to participating communities, to help cover banner production
and program expenses
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