Bucks for Buckles, a new seat belt awareness campaign aimed at encouraging drivers and passengers to buckle up while driving, will be launched this summer in selected counties across Nebraska. The campaign is a joint program of the Nebraska Safety Council and State Farm.
Of the 55 passenger vehicle fatalities recorded in Nebraska in the first five months of 2012, 43 or 78 percent of those fatally injured were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, Klosterboer said. A total of 34, or 78 percent, of those unbelted victims were thrown from the vehicle during the crash.
Bucks for Buckles hopes to help remind people how easy it is to save lives. The campaign sponsors will connect with drivers at selected times and locations and award $1 coins to drivers who are securely buckled in their seat belt. Those riding unrestrained will be offered educational materials about the effectiveness of seat belts in saving lives and reducing injuries.
Bucks for Buckles will be implemented in 9 Nebraska counties in July and August. The times, dates and locations where dollar coins will be distributed will not be announced in advance to maintain the element of surprise. The counties selected for the campaign are Madison, Platte, Lincoln, Saline, Gage, Scottsbluff, Custer, Dawson and Otoe.
For more information about Bucks for Buckles and the Nebraska Safety Council, please visit: www.nesafetycouncil.org.