GIT Seat Belt Challenge

For over 34 years, Drive Safe Hampton Roads has been recognized as a leader in the field of transportation safety and continues to serve as a resource for information and support at the local, state, and national levels. We are the oldest, continuous traffic safety coalition in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The origins Drive Safe Hampton Roads are rooted in CCATS – Concerned Citizens Advocating Traffic Safety. CCATS was a grassroots coalition whose goal was to increase involvement and awareness in traffic safety. In response to a needs assessment conducted by the Department of Motor Vehicle's Community-Based program in Virginia Beach, CCATS formed Monday, May 9, 1988.

In 1995, the Occupant Protection Committee determined that teens were a section of the population that would benefit from seat belt use intervention. The Get It Together Seat Belt Challenge is a way to impact students on a high school level. The challenge started with 10 Virginia Beach high schools in 1995. Peer-to-peer education is a proven successful practice in changing the behavior of safety seat belt use among teens. Now, this program is available across Hampton Roads, with invitations sent to fifty-two high schools each year. On average, between 20-35 schools actively participate each year, with materials shared with alternative education schools and private institutions.

Get It Together High School Seat Belt Challenge is a program led Drive Safe Hampton Roads and supported by other traffic safety groups. Local high schools compete to raise students' awareness of the importance of wearing seat belts every time they ride in a vehicle. Drive Safe Hampton Roads is hosting the 2022-2023 Get It Together High School Seat Belt Challenge, beginning October 17, 2022, through February 10, 2023. 

23 schools completed the 2022-2023 Challenge: Bayside High School, Bethel High School, Bruton High School, Churchland High School, Grafton High School, Hickory High School, IC Norcom High School, Indian River High School, Jamestown High School, Kecoughtan High School, Kellam High School, Kempsville High School, Lafayette High School, Lake Taylor High School, Lakeland High School, Landstown High School, Manor High School, Menchville High School, Norview High School, Salem High School, Warhill High School, Warwick High School, and York High School.

Also get relevant videos from Drive Safe Hampton Roads YouTube Channel. 

Together, we have positively influenced the traffic safety habits of over 875,000 students in Hampton Roads. Thank you for supporting the Get It Together Challenge.