Safety Tour Makes North American International Auto Show Debut
11 January 1999
DaimlerChrysler's 'Do the Buckle' Safety Tour Makes North American International Auto Show DebutAUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 8 -- The "Do the Buckle" minivan tour is making its debut at the 1999 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) and will be featured at the first Woman's Day on Monday, January 11, 1999. The safety tour, featuring a fleet of Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth minivans, carries safety messages to schools, malls, auto shows and festivals across the country. During the NAIAS, DaimlerChrysler's Do the Buckle team is reminding drivers and passengers about the importance of wearing safety belts and buckling kids in the back seat. The program's theme song, dance and video, "Do the Buckle," play off the tune and lyrics from the '70s hit "Do the Hustle," and incorporate the motion a person makes as they reach over their shoulder and across their torso to buckle a safety belt. In the video, Bucky, a lively, animated character, comes to life to help people of all ages understand the importance of safety belts. The video also features an introduction by Bill Nye, the star of the weekly Disney production "Bill Nye the Science Guy," and Robert J. Eaton, DaimlerChrysler Chairman. The "Do the Buckle" minivans have traveled more than 200,000 miles and visited 1,200 different locations across the United States. "Every hour someone dies in America simply because they didn't wear a safety belt," Eaton said. "Safety belts are the most effective means of reducing fatalities and serious injuries, and sadly, many Americans aren't using them. We work hard to build safe cars, trucks and minivans, but even the best safety devices don't work if they are not used correctly." "Do the Buckle" will be one of four seminars featured at the show's "Woman's Day," an event sponsored by DaimlerChrysler's Women's Advisory Committee. Members of the committee will be available to talk to visitors about the vehicles they drive. Other seminars include "Safe and Defensive Driving," "Off-Road Driving Techniques" and "Financing Options." The "Do the Buckle" display is located in the Chrysler/Plymouth/Jeep exhibit area. The safety team will be available throughout the public days of the show to demonstrate how vehicle restraint systems work, talk about driver and occupant safety and present the "Do the Buckle" music video. A number of safety-minded companies are supporting the campaign, including safety belt manufacturer Takata Inc., Continental Teves, a manufacturer of antilock brake systems, and air bag manufacturer Autoliv. Visitors to the "Do the Buckle" display also can learn about DaimlerChrysler's other safety programs, including "Neon Drunk Driving Simulator" and "Stop Red Light Running." The "Neon Drunk Driving Simulator" visits high schools across the United States to demonstrate the dangers of drinking and driving. "Stop Red Light Running" is a program emphasizing that red light running can have the same serious consequences as drinking and driving injury and death. All three nationwide campaigns help fulfill DaimlerChrysler's goal of encouraging safe driving. If you would like to learn more about "Do the Buckle" or would like a minivan to visit a particular venue, call 1-877-TOBUCKY.