STUDENTS AWARDED FOR SAFETY BELT USE

On May 31st, students at New Hope-Solebury High School
were presented with a surprise award from the TMA Bucks (Transportation Management Association) and Bucks County Highway Safety. For the second year in a row, the high school students won the Bucks County High School Seatbelt Safety Challenge by showing the greatest percentage increase of seatbelt use in 2010-2011.Student drivers had the highest overall seatbelt use (97 percent) over 16 other Bucks County high schools. The student government group was presented with $500 donated by TMA Bucks and was also awarded a perpetual trophy plaque by TMA Bucks executive director Bill Rickett. The prize must be used by the school for safety-related purposes.

On that day, the students also learned about the dangers of drinking and driving through a Safety Bug program and a demonstration of the “Jaws of Life.” The annual event was organized by NHS Cares, the New Hope Borough and Solebury Township Police departments, and the Eagle Fire Company. The “Jaws of Life” is a procedure used to extricate trapped victims of vehicular accidents. The student body watched as a donated vehicle was destroyed with saws and clamps of all sorts. The other event of the day was the “Safety Bug” program, in which licensed students drove a custom-engineered car that simulates the effects of drunk driving. The program was delivered by the Pennsylvania Driving Under the Influence Association. The events were in anticipation of the upcoming Junior-Senior Prom which was held on June 3rd.