Saved By the Belt and Bag (SBBB)

  SBBB Nomination Form (Adobe Acrobat PDF)

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 2008, nearly 40 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 regardless of affiliation with the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police (VACP). 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 VACP through a grant from the Virginia Highway Safety Office.

Download the application using the link above and send it to Don Allen, Va Highway Safety Office Law Enforcement Liaison at don@smartsafeandsober.org. For questions, contact Don Allen by email or by phone at (540) 599-1449.

NEWS:
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.