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PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
In Nebraska, traffic
crashes and traffic safety violations are the number one cause
of deaths and injuries. The problem is particularly acute for
children: unintentional injuries kill more children than all
diseases, and traffic crashes are the primary killer of Nebraska
youth.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The goal of the
Batter Up and Buckle Up—A Winning Combination! event was
to reduce fatalities and injuries suffered by Nebraska children
and youth. Objectives of the event were to:
- Provide public
education on traffic safety
- Create a high visibility
media event
- Target children
and youth
STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
In the Spring of
1998, the Safety and Health Council of Greater Omaha and the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Region
7 office designed a traffic safety event to promote the national
Buckle Up America! campaign and educate the public about
traffic safety. The event, Batter Up and Buckle Up—A Winning
Combination, was held at an Omaha Royals AAA baseball game on
June 26, 1998, and used America's national sport as a vehicle
to promote highway safety. The successful public information
event was achieved through a variety of activities and with the
assistance from a broad range of contributing groups:
- The Omaha Royals
Organization sold the entire stadium gate of 20,000 tickets to
the Safety and Health Council at a sizeable discount
- NHTSA and the Safety
and Health Council recruited partners to share in implementing
this important event
- Other partners
participating in the event included the Omaha Police Department,
the Omaha Fire Department, the local Safe Kids Coalition, and
private organizations
- A private media
marketing group promoted the event, free of charge, on four electronic
billboards placed in the vicinity of the stadium. The billboards
publicized the event and projected Buckle Up America!
and Air Bag Safety Campaign messages
- Experts in traffic
safety were available to provide valuable literature and speak
with individuals about traffic safety issues
- An awards ceremony
was conducted at home plate during which tribute was given to
the individuals and organizations that helped make a success
of the Arrive Alive Safe & Sober event held in April
- NHTSA spokesdummies
Vince & Larry® were on hand to throw the first ball of
the game
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