In a bid to promote road safety among young drivers, the Transportation Management Association of Bucks County (TMA Bucks) has launched its 17th Annual Bucks County High School Seatbelt Safety Challenge.
The initiative, supported by NJM Insurance and featuring a Video PSA Challenge powered by Comcast, aims to increase seatbelt usage among high school students across the county.
The program began during National Teen Driver Safety Week earlier this month.
Baseline surveys have been conducted at all Bucks County high schools to measure the initial rate of seatbelt usage among student drivers.
According to TMA Bucks Executive Director Stephen Noll, for the first time, all surveyed schools showed over 80 percent compliance, with the combined average across schools exceeding 90 percent.
Schools have received their survey results with an invitation to participate in the year-long challenge.
The program incentivizes schools to improve their seatbelt usage rates through student-led campaigns using various creative strategies.
A surprise follow-up survey will be conducted in the spring to determine the winning schools, which will be awarded trophy plaques and $500 grants.
The accompanying Teen Driver Safety Video PSA Challenge invites schools to create a 30-second public service announcement addressing teen driver safety issues.
The winning school’s video will be aired on Comcast networks and receive a $500 grant.
The TMA Bucks Community Traffic Safety Program has free programming available to all Bucks County high schools on any highway safety topic such as distracted driving, impaired driving, seatbelt safety, pedestrian safety, and bicycle safety. For more information, reach out to Carly Wible at carly@bctma.com.
