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Child Passenger Safety Week

Secretary Ray LaHood

Child Passenger Safety Week

Garrison Elementary School

Washington, DC

September 17, 2012

  • Good morning. Thank you for joining us to kick-off Child Passenger Safety Week. 

 

  • At the Department of Transportation, safety is our highest priority, especially when it comes to protecting America’s kids.

 

  • The facts are clear: Whether you’re dropping the kids off at school or going on a family trip, a child safety seat is essential to keeping your child safe.

 

  • Any EMT, police officer, or firefighter will tell you:  A properly installed child safety seat could mean the difference between life and death.

 

  • Now, I know America’s families are busy.  There’s never enough time in the day. And many caregivers figure that if the child safety seat is strapped into the car—that is good enough.

 

  • But it may not be.  Making sure it’s installed properly is critical and could save you a lifetime of regret.

 

  • The good news is that child safety use is up to 89% for children 7 and younger.

 

  • But, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has estimated that close to 3 out of 4 parents do not properly use child restraints.

 

  • We need to do better.  And at DOT we’re here to help you do better.

 

  • We want parents to remember three things:

 

  • The Right Seat,
  • The Right Size,
  • The Right Use.

 

  • That means find a seat or booster that fits your child and fits your car.

 

  • And make sure you use it correctly each and every time you travel.

 

  • In communities across the country, there is help for parents. You can go to NHTSA—dot—GOV to search for a local inspection station so you can make sure your child safety seat is installed properly.

 

  • Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 8 to 15 and the second leading cause of death for children 4 to 7 years old. 

 

  • The right safety seat used in the right way may save your child’s life.

 

  • Now, I’d like to invite David Strickland, the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, to provide more details about how parents can learn to protect their children.

 

 

Updated: Monday, November 26, 2012