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Lakeland High School in Suffolk was one of 16 recognized recently by Drive Safe Hampton Roads for participation in the Get It Together Seat Belt Challenge.

LHS received a participation award for taking part in two events last year through DSHR. Additionally, the high school reported its seat belt usage among students and faculty is at 85.05%

According to a news release from Drive Safe, the student efforts across the region increased teen seat belt usage by 3% since the program’s beginnings, placing it now at an overall average of 86%. This is higher than the state average seat belt use. 

Students and faculty that were a part of the program stressed the importance of wearing seat belts every time students ride in a vehicle. Strategies included seat belt checks, pledge drives, videos and poster contests as well as other educational student activities. 

Participating high schools are from the cities of Chesapeake, Isle of Wight, James City County, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach and York County.  

“The Get It Together Seat Belt Challenge is a long-standing program that encompasses the lifesaving message to buckle up in participating schools,” said Katharine Beachboard, Get It Together chair. “School faculty and students faced new challenges during the program and finished as champions.”  

DSHR has organized the Get It Together Challenge for 24 years.