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Sheriff Gee To Speak At Seat Belt Campaign Ceremony

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 15, 2009

TAMPA - Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee and his son Weston, a trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol, are keynote speakers today at the annual Battle of the Belts high school safe driving awards ceremony.

The event is at 2 p.m. today at Freedom High School, 17410 Commerce Park Blvd.

Vehicle crashes are the top cause of death for American teenagers, and the Battle of the Belts is a countywide awareness campaign trying to increase seat belt use among young people.

Last year, 14 youths ages 15 to 19 died in Hillsborough vehicle crashes. Ten weren't wearing seat belts, according to a sheriff's office news release.

The sheriff's office investigated five fatalities of teen drivers or passengers in 2008, and only one was restrained, sheriff's spokesman J.D. Callaway said.

High schools countywide competed in the Battle of the Belts.

The following high schools won awards:

• Freedom; highest percentage of safety belt use.

• Gaither; most improved.

• Lennard; best campaign.

• Newsome; best public service announcement.

Winning schools receive a cash award through community leaders including State Farm Insurance and St. Joseph's Children's Hospital.

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691.

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