NEWS RELEASE
October 8, 1998

Lt. Governor Binsfeld and Director Haveman Launch
"Buckle Up" Seat Belt Campaign

Lieutenant Governor Connie Binsfeld and Michigan Department of Community Health Director James K. Haveman, Jr. today launched a new Public Service Announcement aimed at increasing safety belt use in Michigan.

Binsfeld, who appears in the Public Service Announcement along with members of a Howell family who were "saved by the belt" during a devastating crash on Memorial Day weekend, said the ad focuses on the simple fact that seat belts save lives.

"Safety belts are a critical component of traffic safety, yet research shows nearly 30 percent of Michigan drivers are not buckling up regularly," said Binsfeld. "With this Public Service Announcement, we are out to change that statistic for the better."

"The Department of Community Health is proud to be a partner in the 'Buckle Up' campaign," said Haveman. "Buckling up is a simple thing to do to save the lives of your family and loved ones."

The PSA features Barbara Przysiecki, a Howell grandmother, who came upon her son's smashed pickup truck just 20 minutes after it was hit by another vehicle. Barbara tells viewers that she could not believe that her son Brian and grandson Devon survived the crash. The two walked away with relatively minor injuries because they had their safety belts on.

"I took part in this Public Service Announcement to help remind everyone that it is important for people in all age groups to buckle up--from grandmothers like Barbara and I, to youngsters like her grandson Devon, who was saved by the belt," said Binsfeld.

Safety belt use in Michigan has remained at about 70 percent for the last three years. Last year, 556 persons not wearing belts were killed in car crashes where restraints were available. Automobile occupants who are not buckled are 22 times more likely to be killed in a car crash than those who are buckled, according to statistics gathered by the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning.

Tom Reel, Executive Director of the Traffic Safety Association of Michigan noted recent national surveys that show when parents are not buckled up, their young children are also likely to be unbuckled. In Michigan, surveys indicate that when drivers are belted, children are belted 81 percent of the time; when drivers are unbelted, only 52 percent of children are belted.

"This crash convinced me I should wear my safety belt every time I get in the car," said Przysiecki. "I hope this ad encourages more people to buckle up."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: John Truscott
October 8, 1998 (517) 335-6397