“Officer Johnson came to me and said she wanted to do some hands-on exercises about how to use a seat belt,” Kramer said. “So I went to Dave Zimmerman and Paul Bulach at our Road Department and they essentially invented this unit” that allows students or other participants to not only practice or demonstrate the proper use of a seat belt, but also make it fun by making it a competition.
They took a back seat out of a Dodge Durango SUV and installed it on a frame along with a pair of seat belts donated by Fred House of House’s Towing.
“We think it’s a one of a kind deal that’s going to be a big asset,” the chief said. “You can talk to the kids and get your point across a little bit, but if you give them something hands-on, it really drives it home.”
The plan is not only to make it an annual third-grade tradition in Ross Local Schools, but also take the device out to the community.
“We were able to take some of the money and take the program to all of the day cares in Ross,” Kramer said, estimating that they’ll be able to reach at least 500 children every year through the two township elementary schools and day cares.”“
Johnson also created a mixed media presentation, beginning with a funny video of someone being comically thrown from a car in an accident.
“The reality is,” she said through the giggles, “that it’s not fun if you get thrown from your vehicle.”
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