Event

Seat Belt Saves Challenge

The National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) Seat Belts Save Challenge is a four-week campaign designed to educate teen drivers about the dangers of riding in a car without wearing a seat belt, and increase the number of teens who regularly wear a seat belt while driving or riding in a car. The challenge runs each fall. Participating schools can win up to $1,500 and other great prizes, such as trips to present their education campaigns to other youth! Here is the national press release announcing our 2016 challenge winners!

 

When is the Seat Belts Save Challenge?

The NOYS Seat Belts Save Challenge is held every fall. Below is the annual schedule.

September 1st: Registration Opens
October 15th: Registration Closes
By November 15th: Unannounced Seat Belt Checks & Education Campaign Complete
December 15th: Results and Reports Due to NOYS

Winners are announced each May during Global Youth Traffic Safety Month!

 

Why Should My School Participate in the Seat Belts Save Challenge?

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the US. In 2014 alone, 1,717 young drivers died and an estimated 170,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes (NHTSA). Data also shows that, compared to other age groups, teens have a lower rate of seat belt use. For young drivers who died in crashes, only 54% were restrained at the time of the crash. And, of teens that died in passenger vehicle crashes, over half (56%) were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Research shows that seat belts reduce serious crash-related injuries and deaths by about half. Imagine all the lives that could have been saved just by wearing a seat belt!

In 2014, in response to this serious issue, NOYS, with funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), developed Seat Belts Save, a national high school challenge to encourage greater seat belt use by teens across the country. The Seat Belts Save Challenge is a fun way to spread the word about a serious subject. Participants that approach the challenge in a creative and engaging way will better reach their peers with these important messages. Prizes will be awarded to the schools that demonstrate the highest seat belt use rate, the greatest increase in seat belt use, and the best overall education campaign. Remember, seat belts are the best defense in a crash but they only work if you wear them. Buckle up every time.

 

How do I register?

We’re so glad you asked! Register here by October 15th. Don’t forget to submit your signed School Participation Form!

 

Challenge Materials:

Ready to send in your final report?  Click here to complete and submit the Final Report online. Final Reports are due by December 15th.

Questions about the Seat Belts Save Challenge? Contact [email protected].

  • September 1-October 15, 2017

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  • The NOYS Seat Belts Save Challenge is open to all high school students in the United States.