Pasco County High School recognized for seat belt safety improvement

Hudson, FL — HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital proudly recognized Anclote High School as the winner of the “Most Improved Seat Belt Use” in the Battle of the Belts competition, an annual program aimed at increasing seat belt use and reducing distracted driving among teens. As part of the award, the hospital presented the school with a $500 prize to support ongoing education initiatives.

Battle of the Belts is peer-driven, school-based initiative that encourages teens to model and promote safe driving habits. The program was created to combat the alarming statistics surrounding teen driving: motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for American teenagers, who have the lowest rate of seat belt use among all drivers. These risks rise significantly when multiple teens are in the vehicle or when distractions — visual, manual or cognitive — are present.

“Programs like Battle of the Belts work because teens listen to each other,” said Isabella Discepolo, Injury Prevention, Outreach, and Education Trauma Coordinator at HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital. “Anclote High School students took this challenge seriously and created meaningful, peer-led messaging that resonated across their campus. Their improvement is proof that education and engagement can truly change behaviors.”

Through the program, student groups such as S.A.D.D. and student government associations design creative campaigns to boost seat belt use and reduce distracted driving. Independent pre and post surveys measure seat belt use rates at each school, with annual awards recognizing improvements and standout campaigns in participating Pasco County high schools.

“We are incredibly proud to support the Battle of the Belts program because it empowers students to protect one another,” said Sally Seymour, CEO of HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital. “At our hospital, we see firsthand how seat belts save lives. Anclote High School’s commitment to improving seat belt use is not only commendable — it is lifesaving. We applaud their leadership and the positive impact they are making on teen driver safety.”

About Battle of the Belts

The Battle of the Belts initiative focuses on increasing seat belt use and reducing driving distractions among teens through friendly competition. Each participating school implements creative messaging campaigns, often featuring posters, PSAs, events, and peer to peer outreach. Awards are presented annually in categories including:

• Highest seat belt use
• Most improved seat belt use
• Best school campaign
• Best public service announcement
• Best poster
• Best essay

Participating Pasco County high schools include Anclote, Cypress Creek, Fivay, Gulf, Hudson, J.W. Mitchell, Land O’Lakes, Pasco, River Ridge, Sunlake, Wendell Krinn, Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch, and Zephyrhills.