State Patrol > Outreach and education >

Little convincer

The little convincer program is a presentation, geared specifically to kindergarten children, on the importance of safety belt usage. 

State Patrol troopers and inspectors demonstrate the value of wearing safety belts using a child-sized Wylie Coyote, which sits in the "little convincer," a chair mechanism designed to simulate falling forward during a crash. 

The trooper demonstrates what happens in a crash or sudden stop when the safety belt is not used and Wylie flies out of the chair to be caught by one of the children. Then Wylie is buckled up, and no matter how much the chair is tilted, he stays safely in place. Each child is also given an opportunity to sit and be tilted in the chair. 

The trooper or inspector also teaches the children the importance of not distracting the driver, as well as other proper behavior in the car, through an entertaining role-playing game. 

Each child who participates in the program automatically becomes a member of the Wisconsin State Patrol's "click club" and receives a little convincer coloring book and button. 

The little convincer program is offered to all of Wisconsin's schools as scheduling permits. The Wisconsin Troopers' Association covers the cost of supplying handout materials that are used during the program. 

To bring the little convincer program to your area, contact your local State Patrol office.

Questions about the content of this page:
Paul Wolfe, paul.wolfe@dot.state.wi.us
Last modified: May 6, 2008