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Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Nationwide Initiative to Check Child Safety Seats

Certified Inspectors On Hand at 400 Locations Nationwide

Recently, as part of a new national campaign to improve child safety, parents were able to have their children's car seats checked to make sure they are properly installed at 400 locations nationwide.

During a visit to one of the planned inspection sites, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters announced, "As any EMT, policeman or fire official will tell you, a properly installed child safety seat could mean the difference between life and death. I know America's parents are busy, but a few minutes of your time tomorrow could save you a lifetime of regret."

Certified inspectors were on hand free of charge at 400 inspection stations across the country to examine child safety seats. The Secretary also said that the Department would launch a new education campaign designed to instruct parents how to use new latch technology to install child seats in motor vehicles. The latches make it easier to use when installing child seats.

Secretary Peters noted that child restraints are only effective when they're correctly installed. In 2007, 98 percent of America’s infants were regularly restrained in vehicles. But Secretary Peters said that seven out of 10 child safety seats were improperly installed.

When correctly used, child restraint systems reduce fatalities by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers in passenger cars, the Secretary added.

"Parents know how important child safety seats are, but not every parent is sure their safety seat is properly installed," Secretary Peters said. "So tomorrow we’re giving parents everywhere an opportunity to make certain their child is as safe as possible in their cars."

David Kelly, acting NHTSA Administrator, said, "Partnering with law enforcement agencies and organizations like Safe Kids is critical to the success of a program like this. Their ability to reach into the communities on a grass roots level allows families across the country access to important safety information such as what you will see tomorrow."

The Department of Transportation partnered with Safe Kids and law enforcement agencies to provide this opportunity.

Online courses are now available to educate drivers on the rules of the road and the latest defensive driving techniques. Try it today!

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Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32004-3359

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