Take the time to remind your teens to buckle up.

Now that summer vacation is in full swing in Gainesville and the surrounding areas, this is a good time to take a moment and remind our teens of what Tom Solberg told a group of his son's former classmates at Newberry High School about the importance of buckling up.

His son, Richard Jaggers, was one of four students from Newberry High who were killed in a car accident last year.  Richard was thrown out of the car during the accident, as he was not wearing a seat belt.

Tom Solberg told the students in his address last spring that buckling up is "an act that takes only a second to perform, an act that if not done could end your life in seconds."  His remarks coincided with a campaign to erect signs at high schools around Alachua County which urge students to buckle up.

As an accident attorney with over thirty years of experience, I think we should follow Tom Solberg's lead and impress upon the young people in our lives what tragic things can happen if they don't use their safety belts.

As Mr. Solberg stated so clearly, "Make the right decision, Wear your seat belt... Always".

Alachua County sheriff, Sadie Darnell also addressed the Newberry High students saying, "traffic crashes are the #1 killer of teens. Driving is the most dangerous thing most of you will do in your lives".

Take the time to remind your Teens to Buckle up, whether they are driving or a passenger, and make sure you are setting a good example and wearing your seatbelt and make sure also everyone else in your car does as well.  Remember,  it is the law as well as a life safeing habit.

For more information:

Risk Factors Teens Bring to the Road   

National Safety Commission Alert