(TOPEKA, Kan.) — Teenagers are involved in three times as many deadly accidents as all other drivers, but state transportation officials say many of those deaths are avoidable.
The Kansas Department of Transportation says 75 percent of teens who died in car crashes weren't wearing seat belts. They hope to turn that around with Project SAFE. That stands for Seatbelts Are For Everyone.
From Feb. 27th to March 12th police in participating areas will patrol thirty minutes before and after school to check if students are wearing seat belts. The project, which started in October, also includes a pledge for students to sign.
The program started in Crawford County and has spread to 30 counties and 100 schools. KDOT hopes to bring the program to all schools in Kansas.
