Buckle Up, So We Can Be Safe!

Submitted by kate.searle on

On Dec. 13, 2018, Payson High School, along with other schools in the district, were encouraged to buckle their seatbelts, and be safe. After school, patrol officers and student council members were stationed at the exits of the parking lot. In their hands were candy canes to give to those who were buckled up! This was to help students be safely buckled, and encourage being buckled when in the car, especially around this time of year.

“The district wanted to make a big push on seat belt safety, so they did this district-wide. I think it’s a really cool idea. We are trying to help students remember to wear their seatbelts because a seat belt can make all the difference in an accident,” said Bailey Savage, who was a part of passing out candy canes.

“Over 1,300 people are killed and more than 116,800 people are injured in vehicle crashes on snowy, slushy or icy pavement annually. Every year, nearly 900 people are killed and nearly 76,000 people are injured in vehicle crashes during snowfall or sleet,” said the Federal Highway Administration.

“It was pretty cool getting a candy cane just for being buckled. At first, I thought there was an accident when I saw the flashing lights, and that’s why it was taking a while to leave. But then we got up there, and there were signs telling us to ‘buckle up’ and then we got candy canes!” said Tyson Cook.

“At first I was a little confused as to why there were highway patrol and the news [crew] at the school, but after I realized what was going on, I thought it was a really awesome thing to do and a great way to embrace wearing your seatbelt,” said student, Cody Zumbrennen.

While some people may think that seat belts aren’t important and that airbags will do the heavy lifting, airbags are actually designed to work with seat belts, not do the job for seat belts. Airbags provide a cushion between the occupant and the steering wheel, and dashboard. Seat belts will help protect the body of the occupant.

Everyone is encouraged to buckle up this winter (and all other times of the year) to be safe and help avoid an unnecessary injury. Help remind others to buckle up, be safe, and also follow the law to avoid tickets and fines.

 
Attributions
By: Jaycee Zimmerman of The Lion's Roar Newspaper
Attachment Size
Remember to always buckle up. 1.41 MB