Some lessons are best learned by example. That's why the Ford Motor Company is donating a 1995 Ford Ranger XLT pickup to the Occupant Safety Education Program.

The truck will be converted to a mobile exhibit to show what happens to unbuckled passengers in rollover crashes.

Randall Townley heads the seat belt program for the University of Georgia Extension Service. He said the truck will graphically show the value of safety belts.

"We've seen similar exhibits convince people to use safety belts," Townley said. "We plan to tow the truck to safety education events all over Georgia."

The gift comes at a key time for Georgia drivers and passengers. With support from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, the statewide education effort is working. It helps Georgians make healthy choices with safety belts and child safety seats.

"A decade ago, only 20 percent of Georgians used safety belts," Townley said. "In 1996, that figure was 62 percent. Child safety seat use is up to 70 percent."

Throughout the country, the lowest belt-use rates are among teen- agers. The converted truck will be part of a new effort to target Georgia teens and adults. The program is based on a successful pilot program in Tennessee.

Robert Cucchi, the regional governmental affairs director for Ford, worked with the Extension Service to arrange for the donation.

"We at Ford have long been committed to safe vehicle design," Cucchi said. "We're proud to support this effort to educate all drivers, and especially teens. We want them to learn about the proper use of the safety equipment in today's vehicles."

The Occupant Safety Education Program is a state clearinghouse for questions on safety belts, air bags and child safety seats. Call 1-800-342-9819 for more information.