The Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) is introducing four new seat belt convincers for community outreach as part of its initiative to bolster traffic safety education across the state. This expansion builds upon the THSO's existing inventory, bringing the total up to eight devices that educate Tennesseans on the life-saving importance of seat belt use. The recent "Seat Belts Save Lives" event, held in collaboration with the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police (TACP) at Nashville Auto-Diesel College (NADC), served to highlight this initiative.
According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, THSO Director Buddy Lewis asserts, "Your seat belt is the most effective safety device in your vehicle, reducing your risk of fatal injury by 50 percent." He further explains the seat belt convincer's purpose, a device designed to simulate a 5 to 7 mph crash impact, to "first hand experience that is more compelling than just stating facts and statistics to teach students the importance of seat belts." Acknowledging the visceral impact of these simulations, the THSO hopes to effectively drive home the message of seat belt safety.
Local educational institutions are actively participating in this campaign. According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Brent Jenkins, NADC Vice President, said in an interview, "We’re proud to partner with the THSO to demonstrate in such a powerful way that seat belts truly save lives." Emphasizing safety not just as a topic of study but as a practice for life, these events aim to cement critical habits, ensuring that students adopt safe behaviors that extend beyond the classroom into everyday life.
Support from law enforcement is a key component of the THSO's strategy. Springfield Police Chief Jason Head, who serves as the 2nd Vice President for the TACP, told the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, "Local police across Tennessee are heavily invested in their communities and dedicated to increasing traffic safety education and promoting safe driving habits." Through active engagement with youth and community members, agencies are striving to personally remind and encourage the public to "buckle up every trip, every time," a mantra which they hope will resonate deeply within society.
Last year, according to Tennessee’s Integrated Traffic Analysis Network statistics cited by the THSO, the state saw 309 fatalities involving individuals who were not wearing their seat belts. To combat these sobering figures, the THSO continues its outreach, offering the updated seat belt convincers to agencies, schools, and organizations. Those interested in utilizing these tools for promoting seat belt safety at upcoming events are encouraged to find more information or submit a request via the TN Traffic Safety website.
