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Buckle Up - Phone Down - Why this matters
Two of the biggest safety risks for vehicle occupants are not wearing a seatbelt and driving while distracted by a mobile device.

The South Dakota Department of Transportation reminds us that the “challenge is simple: when you get into any vehicle, buckle up your seatbelt. If you are a driver, put the cell phone down.”

Across states, campaigns like those run by the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation are focused on reminding drivers of these two actions: buckle up + phone down.

What the campaign encourages
As a driver: Buckle your seatbelt. Put your phone down (or turn it off) before moving your vehicle.

As a passenger: Encourage the driver to do the same — wear a seatbelt, avoid distractions.

Every trip, every time. Not just on designated “safety weeks”. It’s a habit.

Why it works

Wearing a seatbelt is one of the most effective things a person can do to reduce the risk of death or serious injury if a crash happens. For example, in South Dakota, the state data says front‐seat passengers wearing seatbelts cut their chance of moderate to severe injury by 50% and dying by 45%.

Distracted driving (including using a phone) continues to be a major cause of traffic crashes. For example, in Wisconsin in 2024, there were over 9,000 crashes related to distracted driving, leading to 44 deaths and 3,530 injuries.

Tips for your school community
Encourage students and families to take the “Buckle Up & Phone Down” pledge.

Remind drivers: “If you must use your phone, pull over to a safe location.” Many campaigns emphasize that even hands-free isn’t risk-free.

Use visuals: The campaign often features a “thumb up / thumb down” pose (right thumb up, left thumb down) when taking the pledge for sharing via social media or in school communications.

Make it personal: ask “Why do you take the pledge?” (#WhyIBUPD) so it resonates in your school context.

Why does this fit our community?
At Selby Area School District, we care about safety — for students, families, staff, and the community. Whether someone is driving to school drop‐off, the bus is transporting students, or staff are traveling for events, the message is simple: Buckling up + avoiding phone distractions helps keep everyone safer on the road.

Call to Action
We invite every family, student, staff member, and community partner to join in. Take the pledge today:

🔗 Commit to buckling up every ride.
🔗 Commit to putting the phone down and giving your full attention when driving.

Together, we can shape a culture of safe habits — every trip, every time.