Students in Law Enforcement program visited school classrooms to promote the importance of seatbelt safety to fellow students and passed out information during lunch periods.

In addition, Early Childhood Education students promoted seatbelt safety in their classroom, monitored the school parking lots to ensure that JVS students were wearing seat belts, and will soon start a campaign in the JVS morning preschool program.

The Lorain County Safe Community Coalition (Website | Profile) is a group of concerned citizens, government officials, educators, students, civic leaders, engineers, emergency personnel and medical and health professionals that have joined together to lead Lorain County in efforts to create safe communities. The Coalition works to Prevent Injury through Community Action by addressing safety issues through initiatives involving engineering, enforcement and education.

The Coalition is conducted through the Lorain County General Health District (Website | Profile). It is funded in part by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through a grant from the Ohio Department of Public Safety and the Governor's Highway Safety Office.

“Many drivers are unaware that failing to buckle up or improperly restraining themselves and their car occupants can be a serious mistake. Our goal is to create awareness by encouraging our students and staff to make sure that all occupants are properly buckled up - every time and on every trip,” said Shawn Hadaway, Law Enforcement Program Instructor. “The students hope their efforts will reinforce safe driving habits, reduce injuries and ultimately save lives.”

“It is never too early to stress the importance of seatbelt safety,” added Early Childhood Education Instructor Hilary Hoak. “If you begin consistently enforcing buckling up with children at a young age, then the concept of seatbelt safety becomes a good habit for life.”