'Buckle Up' Campaign addresses number one killer of teens COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 22
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ohio High School Athletic
Association (OHSAA) and Nationwide Mutual Insurance announced today that they
are joining forces once again to promote smart teen driving through the Buckle
Up for a Successful Season campaign.
"On behalf of the Ohio High School Athletic Association, I want to thank
Nationwide Insurance for their continued commitment to the Buckle Up for a
Successful Season campaign. From the beginning, Nationwide recognized the
significance of this campaign and their efforts to encourage teen drivers to
'buckle-up' should be applauded. We all share a responsibility for the safety
of Ohio's youth and I'm excited that Nationwide will remain a valuable partner
in this important cause," Daniel B. Ross, Ph.D., Commissioner of the OHSAA,
said.
"The best way to keep teens safe on the road is by helping them become
smart drivers," said Bill Windsor, associate vice president of safety for
Nationwide. "Buckle Up for a Successful Season reminds teens that being a
smart driver starts with fastening your seatbelt." Nationwide operates
www.nationwidesmartride.com, a website dedicated to teen driving.
Vehicle crashes remain the number one cause of death for teenagers,
accounting for roughly a third of all deaths in this age group. According to
the most recent data available in 2006, nearly 66 percent of 16-20 year olds
killed in Ohio accidents were not wearing a safety belt. The Buckle Up for a
Successful Season campaign has one simple yet powerful goal -- to achieve a
safer highway environment. The campaign, which commences with the upcoming
high school football season, is in its 5th year.
Buckle Up for a Successful Season is a community-level traffic initiative
that involves a large portion of the 833 member schools that are part of the
Ohio High School Athletic Association. The objective is to promote a safer
highway environment by reminding and encouraging student-athletes, coaches,
cheerleaders, band members, and fans to buckle up when going to school,
practices, games -- everywhere, every time. Signs, program advertising and
events are among the techniques used at various high schools.
About Nationwide:
Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest diversified
insurance and financial services organizations in the world, with more than
$160 billion in assets. Nationwide ranks #104 on the Fortune 500 list. The
company provides a full range of insurance and financial services, including
auto, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, life, commercial insurance, administrative
services, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions, long-term savings
plans and health and productivity services. For more information, visit
www.nationwide.com .
Contact Information: Rachel Allenick
Home Team Marketing
812 Huron Rd. Ste 205
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
Phone: 216-566-8326
SOURCE Ohio High School Athletic Association
