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Illinios Traffic Safety Leaders Urges Parents and Caregivers to Get Their Child Safety Seats Inspected Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children age 3 to 6 and 8 to 14. In 2007, 6,532 passenger vehicle occupants 14 and younger were involved in fatal crashes. That’s why ITSL is urging all parents and caregivers to attend the “National Seat Check Saturday” event on September 12, 2009 As part of Child Passenger Safety Week (September 12-18). Various departments will have certified technicians available to provide on-site child safety seat inspections and education. To find a child seat check event go to www.seatcheck.net. “It’s the responsibility of every parent and caregiver out there to make sure their children are safely restrained – every trip, every time,” said ITSL President Robert Brasky. “We are urging everyone to get their child safety seats inspected. When it comes to the safety of a child, there is no room for mistakes.” In 2007, among children under 5, an estimated 358 lives were saved from the use of child safety seats and booster seats. If all children under the age of 5 were restrained, an additional 71 children would have been saved. For maximum child passenger safety, ITSL Vice-President Mike Rompala said parents and caregivers should refer to the following 4 Steps for Kids guidelines for determining which restraint system is best suited to protect children based on age and size: 1. For the best possible protection keep infants in the back seat, in rear-facing child safety seats, as long as possible up to the height or weight limit of the particular seat. At a minimum, keep infants rear- facing until at least age 1 and at least 20 pounds. 2. When children outgrow their rear-facing seats (at least age 1 and at least 20 pounds) they should ride in forward-facing child safety seats, in the back seat, until they reach the upper weight or height limit of the particular seat (usually around age 4 and 40 pounds). 3. Once children outgrow their forward-facing seats (usually around age 4 and 40 pounds), they should ride in booster seats, in the back seat, until the vehicle seat belts fit properly. Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt fits across the chest (usually at age 8 or when they are 4’9” tall). 4. When children outgrow their booster seats, (usually at age 8 or when they are 4’9” tall) they can use the adult seat belts in the back seat, if they fit properly (lap belt lays across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt fits across the chest). Remember: All children younger than 13 should ride in the back seat. For more information on Child Passenger Safety Week, a national effort to remind parents and caregivers of the lifesaving effect child safety seats have in protecting young children, please visit |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 7, 2010 CONTACT: Robert Brasky, rabrasky@att.net Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk This St. Patrick’s Day Don’t Depend on Dumb Luck—Designate a Sober Driver Before the Party Begins Illinois— For many Americans, *St. Patrick’s Day has become a popular night out to celebrate with friends and family. Unfortunately, due to the large number of drunk drivers, the night out has also become very dangerous. On St. Patrick’s Day 2008, 37 percent of the drivers and motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or above, according to statistics by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Whether you are meeting a few friends at the local pub after work or attending a party, if you plan on using alcohol, never drive while impaired—and never let your friends drive if you think they are impaired.” “Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk.” Said Robert Brasky, President, Illinois Traffic Safety Leaders. Additional NHTSA statistics show that in 2008, there were 134 crash fatalities on St. Patrick’s Day. Out of that number, 50 people were killed in traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcyclist with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. Brasky recommends the following easy steps, for a safe St. Patrick’s Day.
Before drinking, please designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home; If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely; Use your community’s Sober Rides program : If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact your local law enforcement; And remember, if you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely. “Driving impaired is simply not worth the risk,” said ITSL Vice-President Mike Rompala. “Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can be really significant. Don’t depend on dumb luck this St. Patrick’s Day. Designate your sober driver before the party begins.” For more information, visit www.StopImpairedDriving.org |
