Susanna Von Essen, M.D., knows the importance of buckling up – even on the shortest of trips.
It was a lesson she learned years ago, while a medical student at Washington University in St. Louis. Driving home late after studying, she recalls: “I didn’t think I had to put my safety belt on because it was a short distance.” 
But in that one-mile trip, a car hit her vehicle and Dr. Von Essen’s head struck the rear view mirror.
“I was fortunate,” Dr. Von Essen said. “It’s so tragic when people lose their lives so needlessly when all they need to do is something as simple as putting on a safety belt.”
Dr. Von Essen and Robert Muelleman, M.D., professor of surgery at UNMC and medical director of NHS emergency services, are members of a statewide coalition geared to educate drivers and passengers about the importance of buckling up in all positions of the vehicle. The “Click It – Don’t Risk It” coalition is presenting a statewide awareness campaign with the goal of saving lives by increasing safety belt usage to 80 percent by 2004.
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According to the coalition’s Web site, this year has been the most deadly on Nebraska roads in a generation. As of Aug. 8, 166 people have lost their lives in vehicle collisions. Of these victims, less than 20 percent were wearing safety belts.
Nebraska head football coach Frank Solich serves as honorary chairman of the coalition. “Nebraska is a great state with hard-working, friendly people,” Solich said. “Yet, we are below the national average in seat belt usage. This increased risk of death or disabling injury is unacceptable.”
Coalition members will meet Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Kearney for the Nebraska Leadership Conference on Safety Belt Usage. There is no charge to attend the conference, which will feature speakers, interactive workshops and a safety belt promotional kit. Following the conference, coalition members will return to their communities to implement strategies.
Individuals or organizations interested in participating in the “Click It – Don’t Risk It” campaign should call 800-592-9004, ext. 443, or visit www.SafeNebraska.org/clickit/.