Entries needed for GEICO's Safety Belt Poster Contest

It's time for GEICO's nationwide Safety Belt Poster Contest. Students around the country are invited to create a poster that GEICO will use in its annual campaign to call greater attention to the use of auto safety belts.

"Our poster contest really encourages young children to think about traffic safety," said John Zinno, assistant vice president of GEICO's Buffalo office. "GEICO firmly believes that children can develop lifetime habits, and the particular habit of using a safety belt is a critical one. If students learn early that buckling up is important, they will carry the message with them into their driving years."

GEICO's contest is open to students between the ages of 6 and 15. Entries will be judged in three age groups: 6-to-8, 9-to-11 and 12-to-15. The deadline is Friday, Jan. 19, 2007

Entry forms and contest rules went out to principals throughout the U.S., and duplicate contest forms and complete details about the contest are available on GEICO's Web site at www.ge ico. com/ about/ poster.

Almost 2,000 students from across the country entered the contest last year to promote auto safety. Cash prizes will be awarded for first-, second-, and third-place winners in eight regions and three age groups. One national winner is also chosen from each age group and receives an additional cash award and $500 for his or her school.

GEICO will print the winning posters and then distribute them to all participating schools and GEICO offices nationwide.