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Teens must click to win belt contest

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By LAURA FRAZIER

lfrazier@tampatrib.com

Published: November 15, 2009

TAMPA - Five days after Florida's primary seat belt law went into effect on June 30, a statewide study found drivers and front-seat passengers wore seat belts at a higher rate than the national average for the first time.

A similar survey set to start Monday at high schools across the county will put teens to test.

The Battle of the Belts, launched in 2007 by the Hillsborough County Community Traffic Safety Team, aims to increase teen safety belt use.

During the weeklong contest, volunteers make surprise spot checks in student parking lots. The school with the highest percentage of buckled-in drivers wins bragging rights, cash and computers.

Top honors in 2008 went to Freedom High, where volunteers determined 83 percent of student drivers arriving at school were buckled up.

Tanya Cielo, spokeswoman for Battle of the Belts, said organizers hope to involve all 27 Hillsborough County high schools in the contest.

"It is such a great feeling to know that we are saving lives," Cielo said. "Each year, more students and more schools participate and make a greater impact."

For information about the contest, go to www.battleofthebelts.com.
SEAT BELT LAW
The Dori Slosberg and Katie Marchetti Safety Belt Law requires all drivers and front seat passengers in a moving vehicle to wear a safety belt. Police previously could ticket an unbelted driver only when the motorist was stopped for another infraction.

Valrico residents Laura and Vincent Marchetti launched a grassroots campaign to pass the bill after their daughter, Katie, a Durant High School student, died in a crash in March 2006 while not wearing a seatbelt.

The bill also represents the work of former state Rep. Irv Slosberg, who lost his 14-year-old daughter, Dori, in a 1996 crash near Boca Raton. Four other teens died in the accident. None was wearing a seatbelt.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates the law will save 124 lives, prevent 1,733 serious injuries, and save the state $408 million in costs each year.

Reporter Laura Frazier can be reached at (813) 627-4767.

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