DOT
170-09
Friday, October 23, 2009 |
Contact: Karen
Aldana
Telephone: (202) 366-9550 |
U.S. DOT Urges Parents and Caregivers to Continue to Buckle
Up Their Children - Every Trip. Every Time.
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Transportation today reminded parents and
caregivers that child safety seats and booster seats are the best defense young
passengers have against death or injury in the event of a crash. Over 30 years
of research and real world experience has shown unequivocally that child
restraints save lives and reduce injuries.
“Make no mistake about it - a seat belt alone doesn't deliver the same level
of protection for young children that a child safety seat or booster seat
offers,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration research shows that over 7,600
children under the age of 5 have been saved by the use of child safety seats
over the past 30 years. In fact, in 2008 alone, an additional 79 children under
the age of 5 would have been saved if they had been restrained by child safety
seats. On average, over the last five years, 355 children under the age of 5
were saved annually by the use of child safety seats.
In addition to saving lives, child seats and booster seats are key tools for
protecting children from severe injury in the event of a crash. Recent reports
by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia show that car seats and booster seats
reduce the risk of injury to children by about half, when compared to seat belts
alone.
The DOT also suggests that parents and caregivers get their seats checked by
a certified child seat technician to make sure they are properly installed.
Click HERE to find an
inspection station. |
