BOCA RATON, FL (August 18, 2004) -- Florida Atlantic University will hold a graphic demonstration of just how deadly a rollover accident can be to vehicle passengers who are not secured by seatbelts. The demonstration, free and open to the public, will be staged continuously by the FAU Police Department and the Florida Highway Patrol between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m on Friday, August 20. The demonstration site is on the northwest side of FAU's Boca Raton campus, near the gymnasium, 777 Glades Road.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, people involved in a motor vehicle accident, who are thrown from their vehicles, are four times more likely to be killed than those who remain inside. The simulator, a truck cab, is mechanically rotated with two life-size dummies inside, representing an adult and a child. They are thrown violently about and sometimes fly out of the vehicle when they are not wearing seatbelts, but once the adult is secured with a safety belt and the child is in a safety seat, they remain safely inside the vehicle even during a rollover.

The demonstration is part of the FAU Police Department's campaign to save lives through the use of seatbelts, both on and off campus. For more information about the demonstration or to get help installing a child's safety seat properly, call the FAU Police Department at 561-297-3500.

-FAU-