U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx recenty honored two elementary school students who won top honors in the 2015 “ Be Ready. Be Buckled.” student art contest at a ceremony at the U.S. Department of Transportation headquarters in Washington, DC. Fourth grader Heather Li of Orlando, Fla., and 2 ^nd grader Julia Ou of Livingston, New Jersey, received framed replicas of their artwork plus a monetary award courtesy of the CMV Safety Belt Partnership.

“Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone who participated in this contest and promoted driver safety throughout the United States,” said Secretary Foxx. “Seatbelts save lives, but only if they are used. ‘ Be Ready. Be Buckled.’ reminds all of us to always buckle up.”

Since 2007, overall safety belt use for drivers has steadily increased each year from 65 percent to a current high of 84 percent.

“It is especially important for large truck and bus drivers to buckle up in order to stay in control of their vehicles, and be ready for unforeseen circumstances,” said Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Chief Counsel Scott Darling. “We continue to put out friendly reminders to all drivers that something as simple as fastening your safety belt can be the determining factor that saves your life.”

The annual “ Be Ready. Be Buckled.” student art contest is organized by the Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Safety Belt Partnership, which includes FMCSA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and 30 other government agencies and private organizations. The contest is open to students in kindergarten through sixth grade who also have a sponsor in the commercial truck and bus industries.

The following is a list of the 12 students whose artwork will be featured in the 2016 Be Ready. Be Buckled. art contest calendar:

To learn more about the “ Be Ready, Be Buckled.” art contest, visit www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safetybelt.