Indiana junior high school joins national seat belt campaign

MOUNT VERNON, Ind. (AP) - A recent survey shows that 16 percent of students at a southwestern Indiana junior high school don't always use a seat belt.

The group, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, recently provided the online survey to students at Mount Vernon Junior High School, The (Evansville) Courier & Press reported. The group is a national student organization that aims to help youth in public and private schools with family bonds, careers and participation in the community.

Some FCCLA members launched the iBuckleUP weBuckleUP campaign during a schoolwide assembly on Friday. It integrates different games and contests, including a selfie contest in which students take a photo wearing a seat belt.

"Look at all of these people," chapter adviser Tammy Schneider said. "These people represent all of Mount Vernon Junior High. You took a survey in December and we asked how many of you buckle up all the time. About 16 percent of the student body reported they don't always buckle up."

At the assembly, FCCLA members also showed a short video of local residents who shared stories of how they were affected by car accidents and whether or not seat belts were worn.

"Just putting that seat belt on gives you a 50 percent better chance of survival in a car accident," Schneider told students. "Think about that the next time you get in a car."

Mount Vernon is one of 10 middle and junior high schools across the nation to be chosen to participate in the new seat belt campaign. It's sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and National FCCLA.

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Information from: Evansville Courier & Press, http://www.courierpress.com