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Randolph-Henry High School (R-H) has been recognized for its efforts to educate students about driver and passenger safety as part of the statewide Arrive Alive: Buckle Up and Slow Down campaign.

Thirty-four high schools, middle schools, and youth groups across the commonwealth participated in the campaign which focuses on reminding teens to drive safely during the high-risk warm weather months in spring and summer.

As part of the campaign, participating schools and youth groups competed for prizes by developing a creative project, completing call-to-action activities, and conducting pre and post seat belt checks to evaluate the campaign’s impact within their school or youth group community.

This portion of the campaign took place from April 4 to May 6 and campaign surveys reveal a 7.6% increase in seat belt use at competing schools and youth groups.

R-H was awarded third place in the Arive Alive campaign.

Schools and youth groups conducted activities like a Battle of the Belts, which focused on seat belt use and involved students racing to see who could buckle up the quickest. Other activities included door decorating contests, safe driving pep rallies, buckle up photo booths, producing videos about why safe driving is important, organizing mock crashes, hosting an “I am Dead” Day with mock student obituaries, and more.

As as winner Randolph-Henry High School will receive $100.

The annual campaign, which runs throughout August, is sponsored by Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety (YOVASO), the Virginia State Police (VSP), the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Highway Safety Office, and State Farm.

With the increase in teen motor vehicle fatalities and speed-related fatal crashes, YOVASO is encouraging schools and youth groups to continue promoting safe driving and passenger safety throughout the summer months. Businesses and community members may also register for free buckle up/slow down vinyl banners, posters, and buckle up message cards by registering here.

According to data from the Virginia DMV, teen motor vehicle fatalities rose 31% from 2020 to 2021. Speed and failure to buckle up continue to be an issue with 62% of teens killed in 2021 being unrestrained. Additionally, 60% of teen driver fatal crashes in 2021 involved speed.