High Schools Get Seat Belt Usage Awards From Hackensack Medical Center

HACKENSACK, N.J. -- The Trauma/Surgical Critical Care and Injury Prevention Section of the Department of Surgery at HackensackUMC recently hosted its 13th annual fall "High School Traffic Safety Challenge" seat belt program awards ceremony. Immaculate Heart Academy, in Washington Township, won for best overall seat belt usage.

Hackensack University Medical Center recently had its 13th annual Fall High School Traffic Safety Challenge, in which 23 schools in Bergen County participated.
Photo Credit: *Hackensack University Medical Center*

Rachel Martin

02/01/2016 6:00 p.m.

More than 200 student representatives and teachers from 23 Bergen County high schools attended. This program was developed by the Drive Smart Foundation and paid for with a grant from State Farm.

"Programs like the High School Traffic Safety Challenge help bring the issues of distracted driving, drunk driving and the importance of wearing a seatbelt to light and teach our younger drivers how they can use their brain to protect their body," said Dr. John LoCurto, associate chief of the Trauma/Surgical Critical Care and Injury Prevention Section of the Department of Surgery at HackensackUMC.

Here are the winners:

Best overall seat belt usage -- Immaculate Heart Academy, Washington Township
Second-best overall seat belt usage -- Northern Highlands, Allendale
Second-best overall seat belt usage -- Indian Hills, Oakland
Most improved seat belt usage -- Cliffside Park
Second-best overall seat belt usage -- Lodi
Third-best overall seat belt usage -- New Milford
Most improved back seat belt usage -- Bergenfield
Second-best overall seat belt usage -- Garfield
Third-best overall seat belt usage -- Waldwick

Honorable mentions also were given to high schools with an overall average of 90 percent or above seat belt use and for 100 percent driver’s seat belt compliance.

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