skip to main
Close Menu

Raleigh Teens Honored with December "Saved by the Belt" Award from N.C. Governor's Highway Safety Program

James Giglio, pictured, and his brother, Jackson, were badly injured in a car crash, but survived thanks to their seatbelts.

RALEIGH - Teenagers James and Jackson Giglio were riding in the backseat of a friend’s vehicle when it crashed, changing their lives in an instant. Thanks to the brothers’ decision to we​ar their seatbelts, they survived.

“We are so thankful James and Jackson made the choice to wear their seatbelts in the backseat, and are here with us today celebrating the holiday season,” said their father Joe Giglio, a Triangle sportscaster. “If their story can help save even one life, it is worth sharing.” 

For their smart decision to buckle up, James, 16, and Jackson, 13, are being named as the recipients of the December “Saved by the Belt​” Award by the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program​

The Saved by the Belt initiative raises awareness about the importance of everyone buckling up by highlighting people who avoided serious injury or death in a motor vehicle crash by wearing their seatbelt.

James and Jackson Giglio were backseat passengers in a friend’s vehicle when it crashed after leaving a birthday party Oct. 18 near Raleigh. Both boys underwent emergency surgery following the crash.  Their cautionary tale was the subject of a PSA​ released by the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program la​st month.

The N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program encourages the driver and passengers to properly fasten their seatbelts when they’re in a vehicle. Nearly half of all drivers and passengers involved in fatal crashes were not wearing a seat belt. 

Share your “Saved by the Belt,” stories to raise awareness, and follow us @NCGHSP on Facebook and @NC_GHSP on Twitter and Instagram.

***NCDOT***

12/9/2021 6:57 AM