Seatbelt Convincer  

• In 2007, 884 people died in car crashes in Mississippi.  3 out of 4 of those were not wearing a seatbelt.  About half of those could have lived if they’d been wearing their seatbelts.
• Nationally, about 40,000 people die in traffic crashes each year.  That’s about 110 people every day, and about 4 people ever hour: Roughly half of those killed were unbuckled.
• MS law states “Front seat operators, passengers, and children age four years but under seven years, regardless of the seat the child occupies, are required to wear properly fastened safety belt systems.”
• If you’re wearing your seatbelt but riding with someone who isn’t, your chances of dying or being severely injured go up 25%.
• Failure to wear a seat belt contributes to more fatalities than any other single traffic safety-related behavior.
• Many insurance companies will deny claims if it is found you were not wearing your seat belt at the time of the crash.
• If you die in a crash, some life insurance companies will not pay benefits to your beneficiaries if you were not buckled up at the time of the crash since you were technically breaking the law by not being buckled.

The Seatbelt Convincer illustrates the beneficial use of seatbelts even when involved in a low speed collision.

The Convincer simulates a low impact crash and the benefit of seatbelts and airbags. The participant is restrained and sits in a carriage at the top of a slide. The slide is released, allowing gravity to pull the carriage forward, eventually reaching a speed of at least 5 miles per hour before colliding with bumpers at the front of the system.

The Convincer  allows riders to experience the force generated in a low speed collision.

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Below is some general information for those hoping to schedule a demonstration:  Demonstrations can be done outdoors or indoors. However, if the event is scheduled for an outdoor location, it will be cancelled and/or rescheduled due to rain if no alternate indoor location is available. Demonstrations must be held on a level surface and must remain hooked up to the towing vehicle (usually a full-size pickup truck.)   The Convincer must be placed within 100ft. of an electrical source (outlet or generator). It is recommended that Convincer events be scheduled at least a month in advance. However, the simulator is very popular at the beginning of the school year, near prom time, and at the end of the school year. So the earlier you call, the better.   Interested in scheduling the Seatbelt Convincer for your event? Please fill out the information Request Form. ​

There are some additional special considerations and restrictions for safety purposes:

Do NOT ride the Convincer if you:

​Restrictions to Ride the Convincer:​

Have any heart condition or history of a heart condition​ Have any head, neck, leg, spine, or back problem​ Have had any recent surgery or long term illness​ Have any physical injury or problem known to you that will or may be affected by participation​ Have high blood pressure​ Have a hernia​ Have ever been treated for cancer​ Are pregnant or think you might be pregnant ​ Are recovering from any recent injury, illness, surgery, or medical procedure​

Must be at least 4' 9" in height​ Must weigh at least 80 pounds​​ ​ ​

 Lastly, a parental release is required for each participant before he or she may ride in the Convincer . You may download the release here: Parental Consent Form.

• You may have your participants complete the forms and have them signed in advance. However, the form must accompany the participant at the time of the demonstration and be handed to the MDOT attendant before he or she is allowed to enter the simulator