Buckle Up
Every Time, Every Drive

Lorain County Safe Communities Coalition, conducted through Lorain County Public Health, connects with people across Lorain County to make Lorain County roads safer. One area we focus on is the importance of seat belts, to remind everyone who gets in a vehicle to always buckle up – every trip every time. Seat belts saved nearly 64,000 lives from 2011 to 2015 in the United States – that’s enough people to fill a football stadium. 

Research shows that wearing a seat belt is the best way to protect yourself and loved ones in crash. A survey conducted in May 2018 showed that just 78.6% of people in Lorain County buckle up, which is lower than the U.S. seat belt average of 90.1%. Seventeen of the people who died in crashes on Lorain County roads in 2017 were not wearing a seatbelt.

Encourage your local high school to participate in Buckle Up Bowl, a student-led competition that empowers students to impact the driving habits of their classmates, friends, and family. Students spread the word about seat belt use through videos, social media campaigns, prom tickets with a “buckle up” reminder, and seat belt pledges. The Safe Community Coalition conducts observational seat belt surveys to determine the winner.

2018 Buckle Up Bowl Winners

• Best Seat Belt Usage Overall: Lorain County JVS
• Most Improved Seat Belt Usage: Midview High School (improved by 11%)
• Most Creative Campaign Effort: Keystone High School

Get your school involved: call 440-322-6367 or email healthed@loraincountyhealth.com

Resources:

• National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA)
• Buckle Up Every Trip Every Time campaign materials
• NHTSA Kicks Off Its Annual Seat Belt Campaign