Crash test dummies greeted employees of Quality Pork Processors Friday at the parking lot gate to encourage workers to buckle-up.

The dummies, named Vince and Larry, are famous from television public service announcements promoting seat-belt use.

They were posted at the parking lot entrance during the afternoon shift change at QPP between 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. They stopped each car to find out if the passengers were wearing their seat belts. If the passengers were buckled up, they received a QPP key chain. If they were not, Vince and Larry tried to shame them into changing their unsafe habits.

Though they did not speak, Vince and Larry let their feelings be known with thumbs-up gestures or a dissatisfied shake of the head.

"We're just doing a little awareness thing for public safety," Personnel Manager Dale Wicks said. "It's to give a visual impact for the public to buckle-up."

Besides the dummies, QPP had a demolished car with yellow caution tape wrapped around it. It was set beside the entrance with signs on it in English and Spanish that read, "This man lived … he buckled up."

The car was donated by Midtown Auto.

The Parenting Resource Center also donated some signs in English and Spanish that were posted on the gate.

The Vince and Larry suits came from the Minnesota Safety Council for use in programs like this one.

Wicks said he hopes the event caused positive change in all aspects of the workers' lives.

"We're promoting safety not only at work, but at home," he said.

Matt Merritt can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at :mailto:matt.merritt@austindailyherald.com