Vince and Larry "crashing the party" at the Smithsonian Museum.
The original Vince and Larry crash test dummy costumes were donated to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History today.
These anthropomorphic test devices arguably had the greatest “impact” on auto safety in the U.S. than any other effort. They, without question, remain two of the most effective public safety ambassadors in automotive history. (Click here for a vintage Vince and Larry performance)
From 1985 until 1988, these “dummies” promoted seat belt use in countless public service announcements and posters. It worked. During that time, public opinion about seat belt use reversed itself, and therefore thousands of lives have been saved. We will never know exactly how many.
What we do know is that while in 1968, every new car in America came equipped with seat belts, only 10% of motorists used them. Today, we are up to a record high of 84%.
Thanks to Vince and Larry and the outreach program of The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the volunteer work of the Leo Burnett ad agency – people are buckling up.
In the first six months of 1986, a Department of Transportation survey in 19 cities found that 39% of drivers reported using their safety belts as opposed to 23% a year before. Overall, between 1982 and 1988, safety belt usage by all vehicle passengers nationwide increased from 11 to 47%. While the campaign was not the only factor, it was definitely a significant one as statistics reported before the launch indicated that while 80% of Americans believed safety belts work, only 11% regularly used them.
“Vince and Larry’s message holds true today: You can learn a lot from a dummy…Buckle your safety belt,” noted NHTSA Administrator David Strickland at the ceremony.
(See also GM, Volvo Safety Advances Donated to Smithsonian National Museum of American History)
(Click here for another Vince and Larry classic performance.)
Moreover, do not get caught sitting on your seat belt.