Results tagged “Center for Traffic Safety” from Road Runner

Nearly 88 percent of drivers in Pennsylvania are buckling up, and it's a new record high, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

The seat-belt use rate reached 87.9 percent this year, which is an increase from the previous high of 86.7 percent reported in 2007, PennDOT says.

PennDOT does not release local numbers anymore because seat belt surveys are no longer taken in almost every county. The state transportation department is working with a consulting group, which along with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration came up with a scientific method of calculating the statewide rate.

However, Wayne Harper, director of the Center for Traffic Safety, said informal surveys in York County reflect that the seat-belt usage rate is anywhere between 85 and 95 percent. Seat-belt usage is higher on Interstate 83, for example, because people are traveling at higher speeds or going long distances.

The majority of crashes, though, happen within 25 miles of the driver's home and often on a two-way road, Harper said. People can be killed at speeds as low as 12 mph.

Harper said he's happy with the 88 percent, but they still have to reach the remaining 12 percent, which includes young teenagers, pickup drivers and older people who grew up when seat belts weren't installed in vehicles.

"We'll keep plugging away until it's 100 percent," Harper said.

Three students from Northeastern Senior High School swept the safe driving competition last week.

Cameron Winters took first place, scoring 130 out of 165 points, said Wayne Harper, director of the Center for Traffic Safety. Winters won a $2,500 scholarship from Glatfelter Insurance Group.

Tyler Quinn came in second, scoring 129 points. He'll receive a $1,500 scholarship from the York-Adams chapter of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association.

And Nick Michalak placed third, scoring 120 points. He'll get a $500 scholarship from the York-Adams chapter of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association as well.

This is the ninth time in the past 10 years that Northeastern has won the team competition.

All three students will compete in the state championship Friday at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel & Convention Center in Camp Hill.

Good luck!

A search for the best student drivers in York and Adams counties will be held Wednesday at South Western High School, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

Up to three students from each participating school will compete in the 2009 Safe Driving Competition, which is being offered by The Center for Traffic Safety.

Students will be judged on their safety knowledge and safe driving skills. They'll have an chance to win scholarships and savings bonds and move forward to compete at the state level on May 1.

Judges will include state and municipal police officers as well as county officials and other safety professionals.