Buckling up helped fill up Lawrence County high school students.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol and Pizza Hut partnered for last year's "Buckle Up for a Successful Season" campaign in which students who buckled up were served up a free pizza from Pizza Hut.

"Students received pizza just for wearing their seatbelts to school," said Sgt. J.P. Kisor of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The Ironton store is the only Pizza Hut located in Lawrence County so it redeemed all the coupons for free pizza. The business nearly gave away a whopping 2,000 pizzas.

Kisor said the program sends a message to parents and the general public, as well as the students. The "Buckle Up for a Successful Season" program continues this year as the Ohio State Highway Patrol partners with Honda. Unfortunately, no free cars will be handed out.

On Tuesday, Kathy Christian, general manager of Pizza Hut was awarded a certificate to commend the restaurant for their support last year and the commitment to promoting traffic safety to high school students, parents and the general public.

"Pizza Hut, Inc. does a lot of promotions like this. They do a lot to help the community," Christian said.