SIKESTON - Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for people ages 15-20. But the simple act of wearing a seatbelt can greatly increase the chances of coming-out alive. Unfortunately, teenagers use seatbelts less then any other age group, but some local schools are "Taking the Initiative" to change that. Twelve area schools recently participated in a new program designed to help reduce teen fatalities on roadways. A brand new competition called the 2009 Southeast Missouri Youth Initiative was designed solely for Southeast Missouri schools.

With this program, each school was asked to implement educational elements to their student bodies for three weeks straight. Schools were given various Arrive Alive items and other tools to help aid in the educational process-but the creative side was left to each school. The purpose of the program was simple: find creative ways to get "your" students to hear and see the buckle-up message every day for three weeks-a constant message to remind them to buckle-up.

Each school was then asked to report back at the end of the three-week educational campaign. A panel of local safety experts and coalition members then determined the most creative and effective educational campaigns in the Southeast.  

Out of the 12 schools that participated in Southeast Missouri, the top three most creative and effective campaigns were chosen as the 2009 Youth Initiative winners. Dexter High School won the grand prize-receiving a first place trophy, Arrive Alive items, and was featured in a public service announcement (PSA/commercial) aired on KFVS12 television. Second place went to Woodland High School and third place to Neelyville High School. Woodland and Neelyville High Schools received trophies and Arrive Alive items to utilize at their schools.

Efforts to reduce fatalities on Missouri roadways are an on-going, year-round effort in the Southeast Region. The Southeast Coalition for Roadway Safety consistently pursues youth programs that help educate area teens, with the hope of reducing teen deaths on area roadways. The Southeast Coalition for Roadway Safety is made up of individuals that are concerned and are working to decrease the number of fatalities on Missouri roadways-coalition members range from educators and nurses, to MoDOT workers and emergency responders. The Southeast Coalition for Roadway Safety encourages all area schools to get involved to help reduce fatalities.

"One way area schools can get involved is to sign up for the next seatbelt campaign, the Battle of the Belt competition," said District Design Liaison and Regional Coalition Contact Jay Lancaster. "Battle of the Belt is similar in nature to the Southeast Missouri Youth Initiative program-it has the same goal of educating our youth to reduce fatalities on our roadways. It is our goal to get as many Southeast schools involved as possible with the program this fall."

Battle of the Belt starts Oct. 5 and ends Nov. 20. Schools must be signed up no later than October 2, 2009. The program is a six-week-long program, where schools conduct observational safety belt surveys before and after an educational campaign at the school. Various supplies and resources are made available to participating schools. Awards will be presented to winning schools.

To find out more about the Southeast Coalition for Roadway Safety or to get your school involved in the next "seatbelt campaign," contact Senior Community Relations Specialist and Regional Youth Coordinator Belinda McMurry, 573-472-5333, belinda.mcmurry@modot.mo.gov or go to the website at www.saveMOlives.com/Southeast.

Editor's Note: Photos of Dexter High School, Woodland High School and Neelyville High School winners are available online at http://www.savemolives.com/southeast/news.htm, or call MoDOT at 573-472-5333 for more information.

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