Crime & Safety

Students Use Candy to Reward Safe Drivers

SADD Club members awarded drivers wearing their seat belts on Oct. 26.

Talk about positive reinforcement.

students leaving campus on Wednesday (Oct. 26) were rewarded with candy if they were caught wearing their seat belts.

Dunedin High's SADD Club (Students Against Destructive Decisions) was recently awarded a $250 grant from State Farm Insurance to fund a pro-seat belt campaign.

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About 25 members of the SADD Club manned the exits of the junior, senior and parent pickup lots along Pinehurst Road with signs and bags full of candy.

"We'll probably give more Smarties," Robin Sutton, junior, said just before students began leaving school. "We'll probably have all our Dum Dums back."

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"That's a good thing," said Dylan McKeage, senior.

Drivers and passengers caught wearing their seat belts were given Smarties and thanked for making a smart decision; those without seat belts received Dum Dums and a friendly reminder to buckle up.

"It's planting a seed," Sheriff's Deputy Jim Miller, club sponsor, said.

Miller rode on a golf cart with a bullhorn between the three stations. He playfully reminded students of the importance of buckling up.

"How many people have not had their seat belt on, anyone?" Miller asked SADD members at the senior lot.

"One," a student replied.

"What!" Miller said. "My job is not done here."

About 130 students are in the SADD Club, Miller said.


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