A young fairgoer gets his seat belt fastened on the “Convincer” ride by a member of the Eaton County safety belt team before experiencing a simulated 5 mph car crash.

By Becky Henne

4-H and FFA members from Eaton County partnered with the Eaton County Sheriffs Department to promote safety belts during the Eaton County Fair. During Kids Days on July 12 and 16, fairgoers were able to ride on the “Convincer” and feel what it was like to be in a crash at 5 mph.

Participants put on a seat belt, rode the seat up the track and then prepared to have the release button pushed. Upon the 5 mph impact, a small airbag inflated and the seat belt locked.

The safety belt team made sure the belts were put on correctly and then provided pencils, shoe stickers and tattoos that promoted seat belt use to all of those that sampled the Convincer. This fall, team members will be going into classrooms and conducting awareness activities. For more information about this program, please contact the Eaton County MSU Extension office at 517-543-2310.