Raiders take Buckle Up challenge

Photos provided

SMARTRISK News Release

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On December 10th 2009 the SMARTRISK No Regrets team hosted a Buckle Up challenge.

The Buckle Up Challenge is a competition that demonstrates the ease of putting on and taking off a seatbelt. A student team from each of the local high schools will race against each other in this seatbelt relay.

Congratulations goes out to the team from Chippewa Secondary School who won the 2009/2010 Buckle Up Challenge with a time of .52 seconds.

A big thank-you also goes out to North Bay Toyota for providing up with the cars to use for the challenge.

Seatbelt Statistics

* Transport Canada estimates that 92% of Ontarians buckle up when traveling in a motor vehicle

* TC estimates that driver and passenger seatbelt use in rural areas of Ontario is approximately 88%

* There are still 1 million drivers and passengers in Ontario who don’t buckle up when traveling in a motor vehicle

* For every 1% increase in seatbelt use, 11 lives are saved (Transport Canada)

* Since 1976 when seatbelts were first required to be worn by law in Ontario, it is estimated 8,005 lives have been saved

* In 2006, over one-quarter of all drivers and passengers killed on Ontario roads were not wearing a seatbelt

This student led SMARTRISK No Regret event was created to make an immediate and measurable impact on communities. This special day of service has become an annual event that seeks to secure participation from our local communities.

As you know, the SMARTRISK No Regret initiative has been a positive force for the students and community members in North Bay for many years.

Project Ignition Information

West Ferris Secondary school and Widdifield Secondary school’s proposals were chosen and each school was given a $2000 Project Ignition grant, funded by State Farm Companies Foundation.

Project Ignition is Sponsored by State Farm® and coordinated by the National Youth Leadership Council

Injuries kill more Canadian teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19 than all other causes of death combined. SMARTRISK, a national, charitable organization dedicated to preventing injuries and saving lives, developed the SMARTRISK No Regrets program to further their work in helping teens choose to take smart risks in order to prevent injury.

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