Buckle up, this former Bronco turned NFL linebacker is taking on driver safety in Idaho
Former Boise State Bronco and current Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch is partnering with the Idaho Transportation Department to raise awareness about seat belt safety.
The new educational campaign, “Rules to LVE By,” is a partnership that will focus on the importance of being buckled up at all times while in a vehicle.
“We are thrilled to partner with Leighton on this project,” said ITD Highway Safety Manager John Tomlinson in a news release Thursday. “He believes in hard work and doing things the right way, these are his rules to live by. Wearing a seat belt is one of those rules and we hope other Idahoans follow that example.”
According to ITD, only 85% of people in Idaho buckle up when driving. At the same time, nearly two-thirds of people killed in motor vehicle crashes are not properly restrained. The majority of those people died on rural roads.
“Having Leighton on board can really make a difference in those rural communities,” Tomlinson said. “That’s where he grew up and he really understands the values of a small town, but he also has a broad appeal that will resonate with all Idahoans.”
As a redshirt junior at Boise State in 2017, Vander Esch, a Riggins native, was named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year after racking up 141 tackles, four sacks and three interceptions, according to prior Idaho Statesman reports.
“I’m very proud to be from Idaho, and my wife and I love coming home every chance we get,” Vander Esch said through the news release Thursday. “Lately, I’ve been learning a lot about the importance of seat belt safety in my work with ITD. I’m excited to partner with them to help educate Idahoans about the importance of buckling up.”
The statewide program “Rules to LVE By’‘ will include a media campaign featuring Vander Esch and events being planned at schools throughout the state.
The first commercials featuring Vander Esch and his personal rules, including a message to “always buckle up,” can be seen at shift-idaho.org/buckleupidaho.
“I’m grateful that I can help save lives and give back to the place that will always be my home,” Vander Esch said.
This story was originally published February 20, 2020 at 11:54 AM.
