A group of Public Relations students in the School of Journalism and Broadcasting at Western Kentucky University have launched a website aimed at promoting safe driving tips and resources for people traveling with children.

According to the Safe Kids Buckle Up site, the group's mission is to "ensure that all children are appropriately restrained in vehicles."

Team Operators, the group responsible for the website, is made up of Katie Cecil, Luke Gibert, Leo Brown and Sonya Cecil. Nikki Robins is assisting the group with the website.

These students are participating in The Bateman Competition, a national public relations campaign competition.

As a way to draw attention to its website, WKU students are sponsoring an essay contests for kids, ages 11 to 14.

According to Crissy Rowland, Director of Health Information for the Barren River District Health Department, the goal of the contest is to help teach children the importance of buckling up.

"By using the content of the website, kids will be more informed of the dangers and risks of not buckling up," explains Rowland.

The website is part of a a national campaign by Safe Kids Worldwide and General Motors.

Safe Kids Worldwide states that car crashes are the number one killer of children, ages 3 to 14, in the United States.

By teaching children the importance of bucking up whenever riding in an automobile, WKU team members hope to increase child safety.

For more information on how to enter the essay contest, as well as the Safe Kids Buckle Up initiative, click here to visit the Safe Kids Buckle Up website.

To find the local SKBU office, click here to visit the Barren River District Health Department website.