Rickman, TN - Ollie makes second school appearance

For Immediate Release
April 06, 2007
Contact: Julie Brewer
931-372-3318
www.seatbeltvolunteer.org

RICKMAN, TN - OLLIE MAKES SECOND SCHOOL APPEARANCE

RICKMAN —Students at Rickman Elementary recently received a visit from a very special guest. Ollie the Otter, the seat belt safety mascot for the Tennessee Road Builders Association (TRBA), visited the school to promote the use of booster seats and encourage students to wear their seatbelts.

Ollie was joined by Safety Education Officer Lt. Robert "R.C." Christian of the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Christian and Carol Coleman, chairperson of the TRBA Ladies Auxiliary seat belt safety project, presented a program demonstrating the state law requirement that children under 4-feet-9 inches must ride in a booster seat.

The seat belt safety program is being developed by the Tennessee Transportation Development Foundation, a non-profit group established by TRBA in an effort to promote safety on Tennessee’s roadways.

 “Our goal is to try to educate children through Ollie the Otter about seat belt safety,” said Carol Coleman.

“Hopefully, children will encourage their caregivers, or whoever is driving them around, to make better safety decisions.”

Tennessee law requires all children under 4-feet-9-inches to ride in a booster seat. The TRBA safety program will launch a statewide educational campaign this fall to teach children about the law and other safety precautions.

Working with the Tennessee Tech University BusinessMedia Center in Cookeville, TRBA will develop educational materials, such as posters, bookmarkers and an interactive Website, to inform Tennessee children and their parents about seat belt safety. The fully-costumed Ollie the Otter character will visit schools and play an integral role in the educational program.

“The safety of our children is the most important thing,” said Coleman. “We’re really hoping to make a difference.”

To learn more, visit www.collegeofbusiness.info/seatbelt