The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is calling all high schools to join the "Buckle Up Shuffle Relay" contest to encourage seat belt use through a series of fun, educational activities. In order to join the event, high schools first need to register with RIDOT's Office on Highway Safety at www.dot.ri.gov. As a reminder, the deadline to do so is Monday, April 1, 2013.
The contest works this way: teams of four are timed on how fast they can enter a vehicle, properly buckle up, unbuckle, exit the vehicle and repeat the process for all four seating positions. When each team member is buckled up, the driver sounds the horn. Every time the horn sounds, the team moves to the next seating position in a clockwise manner and repeats the process until all of the original seating positions are regained.
RIDOT is asking high school administrators and School Resource Officers to help students organize teams and to serve as judges. Schools without School Resources Officers are encouraged to contact their local police department to request assistance.
High schools are urged to form multiple teams and compete with one another. A single winning team from each school will then compete at the Statewide Finals that will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Department's Midstate Maintenance Facility located at 2400 New London Turnpike in East Greenwich. The "Buckle Up Shuffle Relay" champion school will receive a grand prize of $1,000!
The "Buckle Up Shuffle Relay" contest is sponsored by RIDOT, AAA of Southern New England, and MADD, encouraging students to Buckle Up! Every Trip Every Time!
Questions about the contest can be directed to RIDOT's Office on Highway Safety Young Driver Coordinator Despina Metakos Harris at despina.metakos@dot.ri.gov or by phone at 401-222-2694 ext 4096.
Contact: Heidi Gudmundson (401) 222-1362, Ext. 4009