SHAWANO, WI – As the July 4 travel holiday approaches, marking one of the busiest travel times of the year, Shawano County is once again participating in the Buckle Up for Bucks and Lives campaign. This initiative is designed to save lives by encouraging increased use of seat belts among local drivers and passengers.
Brian Grieves, a local spokesperson for the campaign, highlighted the importance of seat belt use, citing new research from Canada that shows a striking correlation: for every 1% increase in seat belt use, there is a 17% drop in road-related deaths. “It’s a simple, life-saving habit, yet unfortunately, not everyone wears their seat belt all the time,” Grieves said.
Shawano’s police and sheriff’s departments have been proactive in promoting this life-saving measure. Over the past year, almost 500 citations were issued for non-compliance, with violators facing a $10 fine. However, rather than just issuing fines, Shawano’s approach focuses on rewarding safe driving habits.
This unique program, which has been running for over 20 years, flips the script by rewarding individuals who are caught wearing their seat belts. Participants are given a $10 check and a free t-shirt as a token of appreciation for keeping themselves and others safe on the road.
“We’ll be out in full force this week, acknowledging and catching people wearing their seat belts,” Grieves added. “This campaign is about making sure that every life saved on the road matters.”
Local authorities urge everyone to remember the importance of seat belts, helping ensure a safe and joyful celebration for all.
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