State Police, RMV to Warn Bristol-Plymouth Students About Dangers of Not Wearing Seatbelts

Massachusetts State Police and Registrar of Motor Vehicles Anne L. Collins on Monday, April 28, will show students at Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School what can happen if they are involved in a motor vehicle crash while not wearing seatbelts. Their presentation will include a dramatic demonstration that depicts the effects of a car rollover on unbelted occupants.

Members of the State Police Traffic Programs Section will use their rollover demonstrator - a car that rotates on a central axle to mimic conditions of a rollover accident - to help convey the message about the need to buckle up. When the car spins, crash dummies it is carrying are violently ejected, giving students a close-up view of the impact of rollover accidents on unbelted drivers and passengers.

Registrar Collins will talk to students about the need to wear seatbelts and provide relevant statistics, including this one: Of the 13 junior operators or their passengers killed in roadway crashes in 2007, 10 were unbelted. Statistics also show that Southeastern Massachusetts has a relatively low rate of compliance with the seatbelt law.

Also Monday, State Police and Registrar Collins will thank students from Bristol-Plymouth's auto body shop program, who refurbished the car used in the rollover demonstrator and applied graphics and lettering that emphasize the theme of safe driving.

The presentation begins at 9 a.m. Media is welcomed to attend. Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School is located at 940 County St., Taunton.