Ron Bellanti was dismayed by the low turnout. Here, he thought, was a chance for Derry residents to come together in large numbers to show their solidarity in the effort to end the string of fatal car accidents that have claimed the lives of four area teenagers in recent months.

Instead, what he saw was a small group of people who-although concerned about the problem- did not represent a community-wide commitment.

"I don't understand why there's not a lot of people here," he said. "Quite frankly I'm shocked because the kids in this town are dying and something has to be done about it."

That something, Bellanti believes, is an event that can generate large-scale interest among adults and teenagers alike- perhaps a walk-a-thon and rock concert-where the message of safe driving can be conveyed in a way that seems more fun than fearful.

"We seem to have a marketing problem," said Bellanti, who founded Arrive Alive, a Lawrence based non-profit agency dedicated to preventing fatal car accidents involving teenagers. "For some reason the message isn't getting out. This community can't afford another fatality."

Bellanti's comments were made at a meeting last week. The meeting, headed by Dr. Joseph Sabato, chief of the emergency department at Parkland Medical Center, was intended for parents who want to get together to discuss ways of preventing another fatal accident involving a teenager. Within the past nine months, four area teens have died in separate car accidents. Police have said death could have been avoided in three of the accidents if the victims had been buckled up.

The meeting, although sparsely attended, generated several suggestions. They ranged from lobbying to make seatbelt use mandatory for children between the ages of 12 and 18 to instituting a graduated licensing process for teenagers.

And while all were worthy ideas, Bellanti said they will require long and drawn-out efforts that won't see results for several years.

"You have a problem that requires more immediate attention," he said. "I want to do something right now."

Once the spring arrives, Bellanti thinks a walk-a-thon followed by a concert would be just the type of event to call attention to the situation. Bellanti, who has worked as a concert promoter, thinks Arrive Alive can help. "This could be the one event in town that gets everyone aware," he said.