News Release

For Immediate Release Contact: Beth Player; bplayer@gcchd.org

May 8, 2008 (937) 374-5664 or toll-free at 1(866) 858-3588

What’s Holding You Back?

(Xenia, Ohio), Greene County Safe Communities has joined with the Greene County Board of Commissioners in proclaiming May as Seat Belt Awareness Month by issuing Resolution Number 08-5-6. May is the beginning of many family activities and increased traveling. The focus of having this resolution is to emphasize the need for motorists to be buckled up, every time, all the time, when they are in the vehicle.

Since starting the statewide campaigns in 1999, seat belt usage in Greene County has increased from 65.7% to 83.6%. This year’s goal is 85%. Greene County had over 2000 vehicles involved in traffic crashes in 2007. Over 500 of the Greene County crashes involved injuries and 14 were fatalities. Seat belt usage played a major factor in those injuries and deaths.

According to the resolution, the Greene County Board of Commissioners proclaims May as Seat Belt Awareness Month and thanks all its residents for continuing to be more safety conscious and for supporting the “What’s Holding You Back?” campaign.

Attached Picture: Left to Right: Commissioner Alan Anderson, Commissioner Ralph Harper, Ohio State Patrol Lt. Marty Fellure, Health Educator Beth Player, Commissioner Rick Perales.