All across
the Commonwealth, law enforcement agencies recognize
individuals from young to old, even some in their own ranks,
who were
involved in a traffic crash and, because they were wearing
a safety belt or were in a child safety restraint, their
injuries were reduced or their lives were saved. In 2010, more than 70 individuals were recognized across Virginia. Many of their stories were shared in the Smart, Safe & Sober Newsletter.
The
Saved by the Belt & Bag Program is open to
any law enforcement agency. Nominations
for individuals who were involved in traffic crashes and were wearing safety restraint devices
are being accepted on a continual basis. There is no cost to the nominating agency – all recognition materials are provided by the Virginia Highway Safety Office.
To nominate an individual, download the nomination form using the link above and send it to:
Mary Ann Rayment, Va Highway Safety Office Fax: (804) 285-3363(Yes, that's the VACP fax number and that's correct!) Email: MaryAnn.Rayment@dmv.virginia.gov
For questions, contact Mary Ann Rayment by email or by phone at (757) 416-1741 (office) or (757) 406-5033 (cell).
COLONIAL HEIGHTS (March 18) - There's no doubt Alan Little and his son Ethen buckle up when they get into a car, after all, they have reason to believe seat belts save lives.
The pair pulled out of the Sheetz on Conduit Road in Colonial Heights on August 8th, 2009 when their Ford Focus was hit in the passenger side.
The force of the collision knocked the Littles' car on its side and pushed it into another car.
Ethen was revived at the scene and taken by Med-flight to VCU/MCV Medical Center where he spent 5 days.
Alan was taken by ambulance to the same hospital and spent four days there.
Colonial Heights Police recognized them Thursday afternoon with a "Saved By The Belt" award, part of a program by the Governor's Highway Safety Office and the Virginia Police Chiefs Association.
The pair say they hope the recognition will inspire others to buckle up, whether behind the wheel or in the passenger seat.
In one case, it saved a dog's life and earned the pooch and her owner the Va. Highway Safety Office's Saved by the Belt award.
Isabella, a three-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog, and owner Marie Bentley survived a serious car accident in Portsmouth last April.
Police credit the seat belts, and in Isabella's case a canine belt, and airbags for saving their lives.
"Secure our pets. They are like our family, but moreover, secure any passenger that is in the vehicle, whether it's a two-legged or four-legged kind," said Maryann Rayment with the Va. Highway Safety Office.
Bentley says she's used a canine belt since Isabella was six months old.
Danville Resident to Receive Traffic Safety Award On Tuesday, February 10, 2009, Danville Police Chief Philip Broadfoot along with representatives from the State of Virginia will present a Saved By The Belt Award to a Danville resident. The female resident was wearing her seat belt during a serious motor vehicle accident which occurred in the fall of 2008. The details of the crash and the recipient of the award will be announced on the date indicated above at the Danville Municipal Building in the second floor conference room at 1:30PM.
Lynchburg woman given seat belt award whose life saved by one
Ashley Foster remembers the moment when the world stopped spinning and her Ford Expedition landed on its wheels after careening 75 feet down an embankment. Her head hurt. Glass was everywhere. The airbags in the car had inflated - all but hers. But she was still in the car, held tight by the seat belt that very possibly saved her life. RELATED: Another Life Likely Saved by a Seat Belt
EDITORIAL: A plaque, a certificate and public awareness Several times a year, Sgt. Tim Wyatt, traffic coordinator for the Roanoke County Police Department, organizes a ceremony during which people are honored for wearing seat belts.
