P.K. Yonge wins high school Battle of the Belts for highest seat belt use

Press release from UF Health

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – For the first time, UF Health Shands Trauma Services hosted Battle of the Belts in Alachua County — a competition designed to improve seat belt use among teenage drivers, who consistently have some of the lowest compliance rates in Florida. Post-survey results indicated strong participation across all schools, with P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School earning the highest overall average and becoming the inaugural Battle of the Belts champion.  

While the program has been active across the state for years, UF Health partnered with the Gainesville Police Department, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, and the University of Florida Police Department to introduce it to Gainesville High School, Buchholz High School, and P.K. Yonge. 

What makes this program unique is that the push for change came from within the schools. Each campus identified student champions and faculty champions who took ownership of the initiative, helping lead and promote safe driving behaviors among their peers.  

The program launched with an anonymous pre-survey to establish a baseline for seat belt use, followed by three weeks of on-campus education covering distracted driving, impaired driving, and seat belt compliance.  

Beyond the competition, the program is designed to create a lasting culture shift through positive peer influence and community engagement with the hope that additional schools will join in future years.