Traffic Safety Scores Big with Rockies and Rapids; Coors Field and Invesco Field at Mile High to Assist with Efforts to Reach 82% Safety Belt Use

DENVER, May 27, 2004 -- The Colorado Rockies at Coors Field and the Colorado Rapids at INVESCO Field at Mile High are helping to make it a record- breaking season in Colorado this year. Record-breaking for safety belt use that is.

The Rockies and Rapids teamed with the Colorado Department of Transportation to boost safety belt use to 82% an increase of 5% from 2003.

The parking lots of both stadiums are sporting new Click It or Ticket signs as well as the words Buckle Up freshly stenciled on the pavement at all the entrances and exits. During the Rapids game at INVESCO on Saturday, the Click It or Ticket public service announcement aired reminding fans to buckle up.

Starting Tuesday at Coors Field and leading up to Memorial Day, the ballpark video board will also run the Click It or Ticket public service announcement. And today's game (May 27th) will feature an on-field pre-game ceremony recognizing a "saved by the belt" survivor as well as law enforcement officers who are committed to strict enforcement efforts during the popular Memorial Day travel time.

Sporting events are an ideal venue for traffic safety messages, according to state traffic safety officials. That is because a core fan base, young men, is consistently the least likely to buckle up. "This partnership is definitely one for the win column," said Tom Norton, CDOT Executive Director.

The partnership developed through an organization called TEAM Coalition whose supporters include Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. TEAM is an alliance of professional sports, entertainment facilities, concessionaires, the beer industry, broadcasters, governmental traffic safety experts, and others working together to promote responsible drinking and positive fan behavior at sports and entertainment facilities.

TEAM executive director Jill Pepper, said, "The Rockies and Rapids are great examples of professional sports organizations that prioritize the safety and enjoyment of their fans' experience through programs and policies that encourage responsible behavior. The Click It or Ticket message is a perfect compliment."

A two-week national safety belt mobilization starts May 24th and continues through June 6th. 101 Colorado law enforcement agencies are making safety belt enforcement a priority in an effort to increase safety belt use.

TEAM's membership includes Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, National Football League, National Hockey League, ARAMARK, Beer Institute, Anheuser-Busch Companies, Miller Brewing Company, Coors Brewing Company, National Association of Broadcasters, International Association of Assembly Managers, ESPN/ABC Sports, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For more information on the TEAM Coalition please log on to http://www.teamcoalition.org/