The FMCSA is accepting submissions for its 2015 “Be Ready. Be Buckled” student art contest to promote safety belt use. The contest is open to children from kindergarten through sixth grade and is being organized by the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Belt Partnership.

“The purpose of this art contest is to engage children and their parents in discussing safety and provide a calendar of our kids’ artwork that serves as a year round reminder to always buckle-up,” said Anthony Foxx, U.S. Transportation Secretary.

The contest is open to children with relatives or sponsors in the commercial truck and bus industries. Through the contest, kids are educated about highway safety and commercial drivers are urged to buckle up on every trip.

“Buckling your safety belt should be an automatic practice for every driver and passenger since it’s the simplest and most effective way to save your life in the event of a crash,” said Foxx.

The artwork will be evaluated in two categories, one for kindergarten through second grade and another for third through sixth grades. Twelve winners will be selected and their artwork will appear in the 2016 contest calendar.

A ceremony will be held at the U.S. Department of Transportation headquarters in the spring to celebrate the winners.

The FMCSA will be accepting submissions through Feb. 28. Students can submit their artwork to the following address:

CMV Safety Belt Partnership

c/o CVSA

Attention: Nicole Leandro

6303 Ivy Lane, Suite 310

Greenbelt, MD 20770

For more information click here.