CENTERBURG — When it comes to seat belts, the boy scouts of Centerburg Troop #382 have no qualms about telling people where they stand when it comes to safety. That’s why the scouts participated for the second time in the Click It or Ticket campaign Monday evening.
“It’s a great program. It helps people get mentally aware and physically aware of the fact that they need to wear a seat belt at all times so they don’t get hurt,” said 14-year-old Michael Funk.
The Knox County Health Department secured a Safe Communities grant, which is a part of the Ohio Department of Safety. As part of that grant the Health Department holds two kickoff events: the Click It or Ticket campaign in May and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over in August, explained Safe Communities coordinator Alayna Anderson.
“Last year we worked with the Boy Scouts so that they could get their Traffic Safety Merit Badge. We had such a good turnout here in Centerburg that we decided to do it again,” Anderson said.
The Knox County Safe Communities Coalition tries to involve community members and first responders when it holds the Click It or Ticket kickoff. Anderson noted that the first responders help plan the event as part of the coalition. The boy scouts gathered information for a survey, which will be reported back to the state, and distributed free traffic safety materials during the seat belt check event.
Below is a video of Andrew Banta, Charlie Sargent, and Funk ensuring that a driver was wearing her seat belt.
“It’s so much fun (working with the Boy Scouts),” Anderson said. “I actually like getting the youth involved because they are our next wave of drivers. So getting them involved and having them reach out to their own community members is really special.”
Boy scouts were stationed at both entrances of the Hometown Market gas station and were assisted by first responders from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Mount Vernon Police Department, and the Central Ohio Joint Fire District. As a driver pulled into the parking lot, the scouts would approach the car, ensure that the driver was wearing a seat belt, and take down basic information. When the car left, the scouts checked once again to see if the driver buckled up.
“We have seen some that when they come through they don’t have a belt on and we’ll see it when they put it on on their way out,” Anderson said. “That’s the whole name of the game is trying to reinforce the importance of the seat belt.”
“I know last year it was surprising to the boys how many people don’t wear seat belts,” said Scout Master Mark Banta. “(The scouts) are all trained to wear seat belts. They get in a car, they put a seat belt on … It’s a really educational experience for the kids, for sure.”
“It’s pretty fun,” said 12-year-old Charlie Sargent. “I just think that it’s all about safety and what people do when they’re on the road and make sure they’re safe.”
“It brings awareness of the safety of it so if there is a car accident you’re not going face first into your steering wheel or into the dashboard,” said 13-year-old John Humphrey. “There’s not going to be as much pain, there’s not going to be as much suffering involved in it.”
“When they come through here they might not be thinking about their seat belt until we come and say, ‘hey, we’re raising awareness for Click It or Ticket.’ I know I wear my seat belt all the time,” said 16-year-old CJ Marlin. “I think if people did more research I think a lot more people would wear seat belts because it’s amazing how many lives they do save.”
“It’s important because we want to make people aware that you need to wear a seat belt at all times,” added Funk. “It’s very important so that we can reduce the number of car crashes, reduce the number of people who are hurt, maybe we could change the world.”
“I think it’s awesome educating the people,” said Ohio State Highway Patrol Sgt. Rob Curry. He felt the campaign was part of a positive community outreach to help save a life, especially in light of the fact that there have been four fatal crashes in Knox County this year.
The Click It or Ticket campaign continues through June 3.
