Chevrolet Reminds Everyone: Buckle Up, America!

DETROIT - Chevrolet is once again joining the national partnership to remind Americans to buckle their safety belts by sponsoring an advertising campaign surrounding the Memorial Day Weekend. Utilizing print, broadcast and electronic advertising, Chevy is urging people to "Buckle Up, America!" The campaign kicks off just prior to the Memorial Day Holiday weekend, traditionally a peak travel time.

Chevrolet General Manager Ed Peper says it's important for Chevy to support this vital message.

"As America's number one brand, it is important that we urge everyone to buckle up. Safety belts are the most important safety equipment that we offer in Chevrolet cars and trucks," Peper says. "We encourage everyone driving and riding in vehicles to use their safety belts and to properly secure their young children in child safety seats. And children 12 and under should be properly restrained in a rear seat."

The creative material for the campaign -- which runs May 22 through the 29th -- was developed by Chevrolet's advertising agency, Campbell-Ewald. Special radio spots featuring Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will run on XM NASCAR and Major League Baseball Stations, and television spots featuring Junior will run during Memorial Day weekend races on Fox. In addition, on Friday, May 26, the USA Today Weatherstrip will feature a Chevy ad with a "Buckle Up, America" logo.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), despite the highest national safety belt-use rate ever ( 82 percent), 48 million Americans still fail to buckle up. It is estimated by NHTSA that 270 lives are saved with each percentage point increase.