For the last three years, Flinthills senior Madison Totty has been part of the SAFE (Seatbelts Are For Everyone) program helping spread the message of seatbelt safety to her peers. It’s a message Totty and her sister felt they needed at school.

“I was encouraged by my sister to join this club because we needed to influence our peers to wear seatbelts,” said Totty. “It sends the message to wear your seatbelts, to not drink and drive, and to not text and drive.”

The SAFE program is a teen-run, peer-to-peer program focusing on increasing teen restraint compliance through education, positive rewards and enforcement. It is designed to bring awareness to the importance of wearing a seatbelt, therefore reducing the number of motor vehicle-related injuries and fatalities among Kansas teens. Their activities are starting to get back to normal.

“I have been involved in the monthly activities that we have like for Easter egg hunt for the month of April. I have also been to multiply State Teen Traffic Safety Conferences due to our SAFE program,” said Totty.

Totty plans to attend Butler Community College to major in Criminal Justice this fall. She offers this advice for her fellow classmates who may be interested in joining the SAFE program.

“I would say to join because you can be a part of a great group and you can attend many cool activities and conferences,” said Totty.