Students at Warrenton High School are doing their part to save their peers lives one seat belt at a time. As part of the national Battle of the Belt competition, sponsored by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), the student peer group raises awareness about the dangers of driving without seat belts any way possible. Their efforts helped the high school achieve a second place ranking in Missouri with 95.77 percent of students buckling up during the competition. In the state, 155 schools participated. Warrenton was awarded a silver banner for its achievement in the competition that ran from October to November. Marion County High School received first place with 98 percent of student drivers buckling up. Peer Helpers Adviser Denise Richards said the message of buckling up and arriving alive is constant. "Peer helpers are constantly reminding their peers to buckle up at different sporting events throughout the entire year," she said. "It's not just during a month. Even as the peer helpers sponsor, I can't make it to all the games, but they were there at all the games hanging up the banner and handing out T-shirts and key chains about buckling up and arriving alive." Richards said the Warrenton Police Department individually stopped vehicles during the competition to take a count of who was or was not wearing their seat belts. She also noted that having nearly 96 percent of the school's drivers buckle up was phenomenal. According to Richards, the state average for teens who use their seat belt is 66 percent. "We were super excited and so were the peer helpers because they believe their efforts and interventions for being proactive about using seatbelts has gotten the message across to their peers," she said. "I just want to say how proud I am of them and to keep up the good work. This is why we don't give up on our peers - even when we're frustrated with them." According to MoDOT, traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for people ages 15 to 20 and seven out of 10 teens killed in Missouri traffic crashes are unbuckled. To help raise awareness about seat belt use, Richards said Warren County Coroner Roger Mauzy and Missouri State Highway Patrolman Al Nothum made presentations to students. She said both men showed pictures of car crash victims. "We lost two kids in a very short time here one year and losing someone they love because of not wearing a seat belt may have motivated them," Richards said. Peer helpers also assisted in organizing a mock crash last year. "I think the mock crash hit home for kids, as well," Richards said. "And right before prom was a huge reminder for kids to not drink and drive and always wear their seat belts." Last school year, the high school reached 93 percent for student drivers. Richards said while she is pleased that the percentage has increased, she is looking for more from the students. She said 100 percent is achievable. "Nothing is impossible," she stated. Richards said in addition to peer helpers spreading the message of seat belt safety, some students submitted a 30-second video to MoDOT about the dangers of driving without a seat belt. The video produced by Jesse Gillette, Brett Eubanks and Mike Dalton finished in the top six out of 41 videos submitted from across the state. "We're proud of our local schools for showing a commitment to buckling up and wanting to help other teens understand the importance of wearing a seat belt every time they ride in or drive a vehicle," said Tana Akright, regional coordinator for Battle of the Belt. "Seat belts save lives."