The Battle of the Belts initiative consists of Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office working with Hillsborough County Public Schools and GEICO to increase safety belt use by teenage drivers and passengers.

Battle of the Belts Awards Ceremony:

On January 31, 2013 at 9:30 a.m., the Battle of the Belts Awards Ceremony will be held at Lennard High School.

The Battle of the Belts initiative consists of Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office working with Hillsborough County Public Schools and GEICO to increase safety belt use by teenage drivers and passengers. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Community Outreach Division sponsored a competition to promote the seat belt awareness campaign in December of 2012 in which 26 Hillsborough County schools participated.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for American teenagers. In fact, teens have the highest fatality rate in motor vehicle crashes than any other age group. They have the lowest safety belt use rates of all drivers. This rate is even lower when there are multiple teens in the vehicle.

The competition was initiated in an effort to change these statistics and increase safety belt use among teenagers.

Award Winners:

Highest Percentage of Seat Belt Usage:

• Tied for 2nd: East Bay High School & Steinbrenner High School 98%
• 1st: Riverview High School 98.25%

Most Improved:

• 2nd: 16.36% improvement- Freedom High School
• 1st: 26.17% improvement- Brandon High School

Best Poster:

• 3rd: Plant City High School
• 2rd: Lennard High School
• 1st: Newsome High School

Best PSA:

• 3rd: Blake High School
• 2nd: Spoto High School
• 1st: Lennard High School

Best Overall Campaign:

• 3rd: Spoto High School
• 2nd: Steinbrenner High School
• 1st: Lennard High School