New Drive Safe Missoula Mascot “Buckles” Promotes Safety on the Roads

Buckles, the official mascot of Drive Safe Missoula, will make his debut at the Western Montana Fair this week. Buckles promotes the correct installation of car seats and wearing a seatbelt to ensure everyone is safe on the roads in Missoula County, providing fist bumps (knuckles) for those who buckle up. 

Buckles was brought to life this year by Drive Safe Missoula Coordinator Steve Schmidt, who was looking for a creative way to connect with people about traffic safety. Drive Safe Missoula is a coalition through Missoula Public Health that works with families, first responders and community partners to make safe, sober and buckled-up rides the normal choice throughout Missoula County.

“Buckles is here to make traffic safety friendly, memorable and fun,” said Schmidt. “When Buckles offers kids fist bumps, or ‘Knuckles for Buckles,’ it turns the simple safety habit of buckling up into a small celebration.”

Buckles will be at the fair from 12 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, Aug. 4-6, at the Missoula Public Health table in the Commercial Building. Families can meet him, take photos, exchange fist bumps and receive free Knuckles for Buckles coloring and activity books while supplies last. 

The interactive coloring book is geared toward children and parents and invites them to become “safety coaches” through activities about car seats, booster seats, seat belts and safe rides. It also gives parents and caregivers practical information on how to ensure children are riding as safely as possible.

Nationally, an estimated 70% of car seats are misused. In Missoula County, nine out of every 10 seats inspected over the past six years have had at least one installation or use error. Drive Safe Missoula offers free car seat inspections, and a limited number of car seats are available for families and caregivers who receive public assistance. 

Click here for more information on Drive Safe Missoula and child passenger safety.