PENNDOT DISTRICT 10
2550 Oakland Ave. Indiana Pa, 15701
Richard H. Hogg, P.E. District Engineer
Release # 86
May 2, 2002
CONTACT: Shawn E.Houck/ PH: (724) 357-2843
Safety Press Officer/ Cell: (724) 422-1137
shouck@dot.state.pa.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
PENNDOT URGES MOTORISTS TO BUCKLE UP THE NEXT MILLION MILES
Children Send A Strong Message To Their Loved Ones
Indiana, PA (May 1) ? To emphasize the importance of motorist safety on our highways, PENNDOT District 10, the Indiana University of PA Highway Safety Center, local enforcement agencies and area elementary schools are promoting May as Buckle Up America Month.
PENNDOT and its partners would like to remind motorists that buckling up is the most effective measure they can take to protect themselves in a crash.
In 2000, Pennsylvania?s statewide seatbelt use dropped from 70.7 percent in 1999 to 70.52 percent. PENNDOT estimates that each point increase in statewide seatbelt usage saves an estimated eight to 10 lives. Sadly, in 2000, 410 people who died in motor vehicle crashes in Pennsylvania could still be alive if they would have taken a second to click their seatbelt.
Throughout the month of May, PENNDOT will work with local police departments and highway safety organizations to remind motorists of the importance of buckling up. There will be child car seat check up clinics in the area as well as regulatory check points where the police will check for current inspection, owners cards and proof of insurance along with other general safety items. These events are aimed at educating the public on the dangers of not being properly restrained within the vehicle. Each week in May will focus on slightly different topic ranging from enforcement to the nationally celebrated Buckle Up America Week, May 20 ? 27, 2002.
At the conclusion of the month, a seatbelt survey will be conducted across the state of Pennsylvania. The goal of this initiative is to increase statewide seatbelt usage from 70.5 percent to 75 percent. If this goal is met, it could mean a significant increase in Federal Highway Safety Incentive Funds for Pennsylvania.
The Buckle Up message is clear. It?s important that everyone buckle up with a lap and shoulder belt, and that all children are properly restrained in the back seat. Buckling up not only saves lives, but it also helps prevent serious injuries that can cause permanent disability.
Many people mistakenly believe they don?t need to buckle up if their vehicle is equipped with an air bag. Air bags offer only supplemental protection, and then only in certain frontal crashes. They are not meant to take place of a lap and shoulder belt. For rear, side impact and rollover crashes, your only protection is your lap and shoulder belt.
Air bags save lives, however, children age 12 and under and short stature adults (under four feet tall) can be seriously injured or killed when an air bag is deployed in a crash. Children under 12 should ride in the back seat in vehicles equipped with passenger side air bags, especially since the back seat is the safest seating position in any vehicle.
PLEASE BUCKLE UP |