SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT News Release
		Release #04-29-04 April 29, 2004 For Immediate Release
						Media Office 916-433-0808  Capt. Joe Valenzuela Sgt. Justin Risley, PIO Ofc. Michelle Lazark PIC Audrey Lee     Internet: www.sacpd.org

On May 3-7, 2004, the Sacramento Police Department, the California Office of Traffic Safety and the Sacramento City Unified School District will conduct Sacramento’s first High School Safety Belt Challenge.  The students of Hiram W. Johnson, John F. Kennedy, and Luther Burbank High Schools will be competing against each other for a $500.00 cash award.

This week long campaign will be run by the students and will include safety belt inspections at campus entry points, as well as promotional activities designed to raise student awareness of the importance of wearing seat belts.

“I’m very pleased to see our local teens accept the challenge to improve safety belt use,” said Deputy Chief Segura.  “No matter how short the trip, it’s essential that everyone getting into a vehicle buckles up.  Safety is of our utmost concern.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), teens have the highest fatality rate in motor vehicle crashes than any other age group.  While teens are learning the new skills needed for driving, they frequently engage in high-risk driving behaviors such as speeding and drug/alcohol use.  The NHTSA research also shows that teens have lower safety belt use rather than adults.

The Sacramento City Unified High School District has embraced the challenge to encourage the life-saving habit of buckling up.  Some of the activities will include:
 

• Two unannounced student inspections of safety belt use while kids are driving onto campus.

• Rollover Simulator:  CHP’s vehicle simulator demonstrates a vehicle rollover and the violent impacts of not buckling up.

• Fatal Vision Goggles:  The goggles simulate the effect of alcohol on motor skills and perception.  They will be used in interactive contests with students.

• Wheelchair-Injured Student Simulation:  Well-known students are selected to spend an entire school day in a wheelchair to send the message that car crashes can impact one’s life in many ways.  The students will have a sign on them, which states, “Although this is a simulation, this is one of the realities of being in a car crash and NOT wearing a seat belt.  Drive smart and buckle up, or your life can change forever in an instant.”

• Presentations by a victim of a drunk driver:  These experts will speak from personal experience about the devastating effects of driving under the influence and other dangerous behaviors.  They will describe the realities of automobile crashes and the impact of safety belt usage.

The first and second place winners will be based on (1) highest safety belt usage rate, (2) most improved safety belt usage rate and (3) best overall campaign.  A spirit award will also be given to the student coordinators at the school with the best overall campaign.

The funding for the High School Seatbelt Challenge was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency.

For further information, please contact Sergeant Eric Poerio at (916) 277-3816.