The Crash Test Dummies, Vince and Larry, joined local law enforcement and MADD representatives Jan. 23 for a launch to a seat belt awareness campaign. From left are Moultrie Police Sgt. Nick Harrison, Larry, MADD-South Georgia secretary Dawn Strawder, Vince, MADD-South Georgia Community Action Site Leader Gary Robinson and MPD Lt. Daniel Lindsay.

MOULTRIE, Ga. — The South Georgia chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and local law enforcement launched a campaign last week to encourage seat belt use.

The Crash Test Dummies, Vince and Larry, were on hand for the announcement last Tuesday.

While MADD’s core principle is discouraging impaired driving, other highway safety issues have long been part of their concerns, according to Gary Robinson, community action site leader of MADD-South Georgia. During school presentations, Robinson said, the message always includes not only drunk driving but also seat belts, speeding, and other safety rules.

Moultrie Police Lt. Daniel Lindsay said the seat belt message will be highlighted throughout the year.

“We’re just trying to bring awareness to people wearing their seat belts,” Lindsay said.

Lindsay presented an email from Roger Hayes, director of law enforcement services for the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. In it, Hayes said 58 percent of the traffic fatalities in Georgia in 2017 were not wearing seat belts. That’s 1,533 people.

“So far in 2018, we have had 46 fatalities,” Hayes said in the email dated Jan. 23, “and 65 percent of them were not wearing a seat belt.”