WASHINGTON,DC, June 5, 2023 -- Business Professionals of America (BPA) students at Mira Loma High School in Sacramento, California, and Radiant Stem Academy in Irving, Texas, created -prize-winning campaigns that increased seat belt usage among their peers and engaged community members. As the winners for best overall campaign in the "Seat Belts Save Challenge," a nationwide competition organized by the National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) and funded by General Motors, the BPA chapters received a $1,500 prize.

Both chapters organized a wide range of activities to communicate messages about the importance of buckling up, starting with a kick-off event featuring a seat belt pledge-signing party. 

The Seat Belts Save Challenge was initiated by NOYS to increase seat belt usage among young people who are at heightened risk from death or injury in traffic crashes because of their low belt usage rate. In 2021, more than half of teen drivers killed in crashes and more than 50% of teen passengers killed in crashes were not wearing seat belts.

NOYS and its partners invited high schools throughout the country to develop a local campaign to increase belt usage. The Seat Belts Save Challenge is documented by an unannounced seat belt check before a school’s campaign, followed by another unannounced check after an education and awareness campaign conducted by students.

"We are pleased to see students at schools across the country use their creativity and enthusiasm to develop effective campaigns that have shown a measurable impact on teen seat belt usage," said Jacob Smith, Executive Director of NOYS. “Getting young people to buckle up consistently is an ongoing safety issue, and we are pleased to see that the Seat Belts Save Challenge is making a difference, one school at a time."

"BPA helps students gain valuable workplace skills to become college and career ready, and we also encourage them to become engaged citizens," said Steven J. Mitchell, BPA's Executive Director/CEO. "We applaud these chapters’ success in promoting safety in their schools and communities."

About NOYS

National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) is a national youth-powered organization leveraging 25+ years of collaborative engagement and expertise to position young people to lead in addressing the most pressing youth health and safety issues affecting them today - with mobility safety being a key issue. Founded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, NOYS has played an integral part in the traffic safety industry by supporting youth (15-29) in developing youth-led mobility safety programs and campaigns. Youth are mobilized to take action through peer-to-peer education, community mobilization, and youth-powered advocacy. NOYS is the only national youth-led organization in the U.S. with the largest base of youth-serving and youth-led organizations focused on youth health and safety.

About Business Professionals of America

Business Professionals of America (BPA) is the premier Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) for middle, high school, and college/university students preparing for careers in business and information technology. BPA provides members with opportunities for growth through competitive events, leadership and personal development, and community service. BPA has more than 46,000 members in chapters across 25 states and in Canada, China, and Puerto Rico. Learn more at www.bpa.org.

Official Press Release can be found here.

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