Seat belts save lives.

Tamaqua Area High School students were reminded of that during a Highway Safety Program held this week in the school auditorium.Tamaqua Police Department sponsored the program, referred to as "Survival 101," a police-driven curriculum designed to encourage appropriate decision-making among middle and high school students.Developed by PennDOT's Buckle Up PA Project, the curriculum provides safety information on seat belts, distracted driving and other topics using hard-hitting content.Aided by a PowerPoint presentation, Tamaqua police Cpl. Dwayne Hacker and officer Michael Hobbs shared safety tips and told the students they were about to witness pictures of actual fatal vehicle crashes."We want to prevent this from happening to you," Hacker said. "We're here to show young drivers how they can save their lives when in a crash."Hacker said vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death among young drivers.He told the students not only does it affect them, but also their family, their friends, and their friends' families."I doesn't have to happen to someone else," he said. "It can happen to you."Hacker said not only do seat belts save lives, it is the law to wear them."By wearing your seat belt, you can save your life by 90 percent," he said.Hacker also reminded students to use caution when driving; to keep their eyes on the road at all times; to never drive under the influence of anything; and to pull over if they're feeling tired.Cellphones, texting, and having too many friends in the vehicle can all result in distracted driving."Texting is very dangerous while you're driving," he said. "Very dangerous."Hacker added that 80 percent of all crashes are caused by human error.He then discussed examples of impaired driving, such as driving drunk, drugs and driving while medicated.This week marks the Tamaqua Area Student Government Association's annual Prom Promise week.The goal of Prom Promise week is to raise student awareness regarding the dangers of drinking and driving, especially during prom season.Wednesday was Awareness Day, in which faculty and staff read messages over the announcements in between periods encouraging students to not drink and drive.The program continued Thursday with Simulation Day, in which junior and senior physical education classes "simulated" impaired driving by wearing special goggles and completing an obstacle course in their physical education classes.Today was Grim Reaper Day, with student government officers selecting students from study halls to symbolically die. These selected students had their faces painted and remained silent for the remainder of the day.Tuesday was Key Day, in which students attending the prom were encouraged to sign a key in the lobby pledging not to drink and drive. Students names were entered into drawing for a gas card.Monday was Red Ribbon Day, with red ribbons tied to vehicles to serve as a reminder not to drink and drive.