Thermopolis joins Battle of the Belts

Much as high school sports teams have rivalries that can last seasons, even years Tom Cunningham — the safety education coordinator for Injury Prevention Resources and Safe Communities coordinator for WYDOT District 5 — is helping spark some healthy competition among communities in the name of safety with the Battle of the Belts.

Cunningham explained at its core the Battle of the Belts is a competition to see how well people are doing with safe driving. As the name implies, one of the primary focuses is seat belt use, though Cunningham said it’s not just for the driver but all vehicle occupants.

Cunningham will be doing seat belt observation surveys, which consist of his observing vehicles as they enter the high school parking lot to see if people are wearing their seatbelts properly. He will also host an assembly Sept. 8, beginning at 1:35 p.m., during which he will show the effects of a rollover, as well as a demonstration of airbag deployment.

Following a second survey, Cunningham will compare the results and determine if drivers have improved or declined. He noted each community results are compared with another’s; Thermopolis is unique, in that it is also “competing” across county lines, being compared with Worland. Keeping with the belt theme, the most improved community will get a WWE-style championship belt, along with a banner for the school and bragging rights until the next Battle, in 2018.

Cunningham said the Battle of the Belts is a kind of friendly rivalry, but can also help facilitate talking points in the communities, and he has seen seat belt use improve 20-30 percent between surveys. It’s also Child Passenger Safety Month, he said, and as fall is just around the corner it’s a good time to make people aware of safe driving habits as road conditions change.