PLYMOUTH, N.H.-
Dozens of PSU students turned out Wednesday, Oct. 30 for a seatbelt challenge and traffic safety exhibit at the Hartman Union Building. The PSU Student Criminal Justice group organized the event, whose goal was to remind students about seatbelt use and the consequences of not buckling up.
As students gathered around a junked van, the Plymouth Fire Department used Jaws of Life equipment to rip it apart in a dramatic example of the outcome of unsafe driving. PFD Captain John Keller said inattentive driving is a leading cause of accidents.
“I hope people will see the need for safer driving,” said Keller. “These students need to see first-hand the consequences of inattentive driving, everything from adjusting the radio or using a cell phone, it only takes a second to cause an accident.”
Criminal Justice Associate Professor David Mackey echoed Keller’s advice, noting students should heed the warnings.
“The demonstration of the Jaws of Life should be good reminder to wear seatbelts,’ said Mackey. “Anything we can do to raise awareness is a good thing.”
The main event of the exhibit was the seatbelt challenge, in which three teams competed in a timed buckle-up challenge. Each team member had to buckle up in every seat in a police cruiser, making for some fast paced fun as the four-member teams raced getting in and out of the seats and buckling up.
The Clickers team from Mary Lyon Residence Hall won the challenge with a time of 43 seconds, edging the Kappa Delta Phi sorority team. The winning team included Ethan Morin, Anto Morelli, Michael Ciriello and Gregg Oberg, who took home cash and ski tickets.
Plymouth State’s University Police Department assisted in the competition.
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