• AAA’s “I Got Caught” teen driver safety campaign launches in Iowa in partnership with the Iowa State Patrol and Casey’s General Stores
  • Campaign’s goal is to encourage teens to buckle up
  • Teens are the least likely group to buckle up and the most likely group to die in a roadway crash

To encourage buckling up while driving or riding in a motor vehicle, AAA – The Auto Club Group, the Iowa State Patrol and Casey’s General Stores have launched a new Iowa traffic safety partnership intended to provide teens with positive reinforcement rewards for wearing their seat belts.

Representatives from the Iowa State Patrol will work with local high schools to promote seat belt education campaigns and provide rewards from Casey’s General Stores during this spring which includes the popular prom and graduation seasons. When “caught” driving or riding in a motor vehicle as they leave school facilities or school sponsored events, teens may be rewarded with a coupon for a free slice of pizza or fountain drink. These rewards will not be used in conjunction with any traffic stop.

“AAA was founded more than 110 years ago to enhance roadway safety for all roadway users,” stated Gail Weinholzer, director of public affairs, AAA- The Auto Club Group. “We have a particular interest in teen drivers and our efforts focus not only on teaching them how to drive safely, but also how to survive a crash should they be involved in one.”

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 14-20 year olds in the United States. In fact, in 2013, there were 1,691 young drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 years of age that died in motor vehicle crashes. In 2014-2015, Iowa had 91 teens involved in fatal crashes as drivers or passengers. Of those fatalities, more than half of them were not wearing their seat belts.

“Casey’s General Stores and AAA are helping troopers across the State of Iowa, to promote a positive message for teens making the critical decision to wear their seat belts each and every time they get into a vehicle,” said Sergeant Scott Bright, Iowa State Patrol. “We’re looking forward to having positive interactions with young passengers and drivers during our “I Got Caught” campaign and helping to spread the message that seat belts really do save lives.”