Teen Safety Belt Use Prompts New Campaign

JEFFERSON CITY - The Missouri Department of Transportation is challenging high school students across the state to create 30-second television public service announcements (PSAs) to convince their peers to buckle up.

The Restrain Yourself campaign was prompted by the alarming results of a recent teen safety belt survey conducted by MoDOT in cooperation with the Missouri Safety Center. Safety belt use among teens is 56 percent - an increase of three percent over last year. In contrast, this usage rate is dramatically lower when compared to Missouri's overall safety belt usage rate of 76 percent.

"Traffic crashes are the number one cause of death among teenagers," stated Don Hillis, director of System Management for MoDOT. "This campaign is designed to motivate teens to use positive peer pressure and convince others that wearing a safety belt is cool."

The contest will be open to high school students across the state. Students will have until October 31 to write and/or produce a PSA that will convince teens to buckle up. In addition to winning the opportunity to produce their PSA, the grand prize winner(s) and their school will receive cash prizes. One first and second prize entry will also be selected.

Contest packets containing the tools and tips for creating PSAs are being mailed to high school principals across the state this week. Contest information and packets can also be found at www.saveMOlives.com or by calling 1-800-800-BELT (2358).