Helena - In recognition of National Teen Driver Safety Week (October 16-22, 2016), the State Capitol will shine blue this week to share a special message with Montana's teen drivers and their families. The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) has partnered with the Goldhahn family and the @BuckleUpBlue4Lauryn campaign with the goal of increasing teen safety on the road.

Fifteen year old Lauryn Kate Goldhahn, a member of the Fairfield Lady Eagle volleyball team, was the passenger in a vehicle that was involved in a rollover accident just 1 mile northwest of town on August 25. Lauryn, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the pickup after it rolled two and a half times before coming to a halt as it struck a power pole. She was thrown a distance of around 50 feet, and suffered some very significant injuries that would eventually lead to her death. Lauryn was transported to Benefis Hospital in Great Falls, and later that night flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. On the night of August 27 at 11:47 PM, Lauryn's doctors pronounced her dead after a series of non-responsive neurological tests.

After hearing of Lauryn's death, the Red Lodge Rams volleyball team started the idea of the #buckleupblue4lauryn campaign. Blue ribbons were handed out at schools and sporting events to be tied on steering wheels of vehicles to remind everyone to buckle-up. This campaign has quickly grown statewide in Montana and neighboring states.

"As we continue to work towards Vision Zero, MDT is grateful to the Goldhahn family for allowing us to share this important message," said Director Tooley. "A story like Lauryn's is one that needs to be heard, regardless of age, to remind everyone to buckle-up every time they get in a vehicle."

Along with schools, Montana Highway Patrol, local law enforcement, state and federal agencies and organizations MDT hopes to increase seat belt safety with this message among teens (and all vehicle occupants). In 2015, 224 people died on Montana roads. In the same year, Almost 80 percent of Montana's teen crash fatalities were unbuckled.

"Tie a ribbon to your steering wheel and remind your loved ones to wear their seat belts because life is too precious to not buckle-up," said Director Tooley. "It will take a commitment from all of us to reach zero deaths and zero serious injuries on Montana roads."

More information on this campaign can be found on MDT's Facebook event page (@MontanDOT>Events) or at the Facebook page @BuckleUpBlue4Lauryn. MDT requests that during Teen Driver Safety Week, all participants take a photo of their #buckleupblue4lauryn ribbon tied to their steering wheel (or seat belt) and share the photo by following MDT's Snapchat account or on the Teen Driver Safety Week Facebook event page https://www.facebook.com/events/1322574464454455