Seat Belt Convincer

In 2006, State Farm provided a grant to the Illinois State Police to purchase a Seat Belt Convincer. The Convincer is an educational tool to enable the general public to participate in seat belt safety programs. It is an effective tool for safety presentations at high schools, businesses, fairs, community events, and drivers' education programs.

This machine demonstrates the effectiveness of seat belts even during a low speed crash. Passengers enter at the top of the slide and are buckled into the seat. The operator releases the carriage and gravity pulls the carriage forward, reaching approximately 5-7 miles per hour prior to impact.

The outcome is that the rider gains respect for the benefit a seat belt can provide during a crash. Students enrolled in driver education programs will be the primary individuals allowed to ride the simulator.  A dummy will be used for demonstrations to the general public.

The first Convincer was a success and received such great feedback from the students, teachers and State Farm agents in various communities that State Farm provided funding in 2007 for three more to be purchased. Since then they have been demonstrated all over the state at Illinois State Fairs, Illinois High School Association state championship events, annual community celebrations and numerous high schools.

For more information, contact State Farm Community Relations Assistant Tricia Lambert at 309-622-6509, or email her at  tricia.lambert.id7y@statefarm.com.