4High School News

Team J-Rad tops at Battle of the Belts

Danielle Garguilo, Alexandra Sinicropi, Rachel Sammons, and Jared Zaetz of Team J-Rad topped 11 other high school teams as they captured Fonda-Fultonville High School's 4th Annual Battle of the Belts competition on Thursday, April 8. Their first-place finish earned them a berth at the World Championship Battle of the Belts at Sean’s Run held in Chatham, NY on Sunday, April 26 where they finished an impressive fourth.

The fun and fast-paced seatbelt buckling contest is a race against the clock. The race begins with a team of four students buckled into the four seats of a four-door car (in this case School Resource Office Trooper Hal Witner's State Police patrol car). At Trooper Witner's command, each contestant unbuckles his or her seat belt, jumps out of the car, rotates clockwise to the next door, and buckles into the seat. Individual judges raise a green card to show the student is securely buckled. When all fours contestants are secured, Trooper Witner gives the okay and everyone rotates again. The race ends when each student has been buckled into each seat. The team with the fastest time wins.

Advisor Linda Petterson, whose High School Student Government sponsors and runs the local event, says that the competition has grown each year. Teams come up with creative names, decorate elaborate tee shirts, and race as if lives depend on it. In fact, lives actually depend on the competition, because Battle of the Belts is the cornerstone of the school's effort to increase teen’s use of seatbelts.

The need for seatbelts

According to a nationwide polling of high school students conducted by Volkswagen of America, Inc, the four leading reasons why American teenagers do not use safety belts are: peer pressure, lack of comfort, a feeling of invincibility, and finally, its just not necessary for short trips from school or home.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that teens and young adults are the least likely to buckle up and are the most likely to die in traffic accidents. In 2001 more than 5000 teens perished in auto accidents and two-thirds of those killed were not wearing seat belts. The notion that it is unnecessary to wear a safety belt on short trips is unsettling when statistics indicate that the majority of auto accidents happen within five miles of one’s home.

According to NHTSA administrator, Dr. Jeffrey W. Runge, “Inexperience behind the wheel, coupled with risk-taking behavior such as speeding, drinking and driving, and lack of seat belt use, often yields tragic results for our young people.” Unfortunately Dr. Runge’s statement becomes a nightmarish reality for parents, family, and friends of teenagers killed or seriously injured in auto accidents every day across America.

"Wearing seatbelts when traveling in a vehicle is a simple lifelong habit that saves lives.
It is cool to be thoughtful and responsible. A sure sign of wisdom and maturity is the ability to recognize and learn a valuable lesson when one is presented," said high school principal David Halloran.

Battle of the Belts held in honor of Sean French, who died in an automobile accident when not wearing a seatbelt. His story is a stark reminder of the horrible consequences of poor decisions.

Sean Patrick French

On January 1st 2002, A 17 year old Chatham High School junior named Sean Patrick French tragically lost his life as a passenger in a drunken driving car crash. Another passenger, 17-year-old Ian Moore suffered paralyzing injuries. The driver, also 17, had been arrested for drunk driving just 18 days prior to the accident, and following the crash, was again found to be intoxicated while driving. The young man was found guilty of manslaughter and was sentenced to prison.

Sean’s Run

The tragedy in Chatham prompted the enactment of Sean’s Law, which now requires the immediate suspension of a license for a 16 or 17 year old arrested for drunk driving throughout New York State.

Sean’s Run, an annual event entering its 7th year will be held this spring in Chatham NY on Sunday, April 27th 2008. The event serves as a prom season reminder to high school students about the dangers of drinking and driving and encourages the use of seatbelts. Sean’s Run consists of a One mile youth race for kids 12 and under, as well as a 5K Run and Community Walk for all ages and abilities. Prior to the run/walk, the World Championship Battle of the Belts is staged and involves teams from schools and youth groups throughout the region.

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