DOT 137-08
September 19, 2008
Contact: Brian Turmail
Tel.: (202) 366-4570

U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters Announces Nationwide Initiative to Check Child Safety Seats

WASHINGTON – Parents will be able to have their children’s car seats checked to make sure they are properly installed this Saturday at 400 locations nationwide as part of a new national campaign to improve child safety, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters announced today during a visit to one of the planned inspection sites.

“As any EMT, policeman or fire official will tell you, a properly installed child safety seat could mean the difference between life and death,” Secretary Peters said. “I know America’s parents are busy, but a few minutes of your time tomorrow could save you a lifetime of regret.”

On Saturday, certified inspectors will be on hand at 400 inspection stations across the country to examine child safety seats free of charge. The Secretary also said that starting next week, the Department would launch a new education campaign designed to get parents to use new latch technology to install child seats in motor vehicles. The latches make it easier to use when installing child seats, she added.

Secretary Peters noted that child restraints are effective, but only when they’re correctly installed. Last year, 98 percent of America’s infants were regularly restrained in vehicles. However, she said, seven out of 10 child safety seats are not installed correctly.

When properly used, child restraint systems reduce fatalities by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers in passenger cars, she 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.”

“Partnering with law enforcement agencies and organizations like Safe Kids is critical to the success of a program like this” said David Kelly, acting NHTSA Administrator. “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 Secretary said that parents looking for the closest inspection station should visit www.NHTSA.gov

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

Link to high resolution photograph of U.S. Secretary of Transportation watches as Karen Gay of the District of Columbia’s DOT demonstrates how to safely secure and Anthony Ascone into a car seat from event.  www.dot.gov/affairs/09.19.08 car seat event.JPG