New National Study: South Carolina Children at Risk

   Ford Donates 6,000 Booster Seats Through United Way to Prevent Injuries,
 Save Lives - Education Program in Every South Carolina School - Free Booster
                 Seats to Ford Customers Through Toys 'R' Us

    COLUMBIA, S.C., May 7 Armed with a new survey documenting
that South Carolina children who don't ride in a booster seat are at risk of
injury or death, Governor Jim Hodges and national and local safety officials
joined Ford Motor Company today to start a new safety habit for youngsters by
presenting the first of 6,000 booster seats to needy families through United
Way.  The donations are part of the Ford Motor Company's nationwide Boost
America! child passenger safety campaign.

    The multi-faceted campaign includes a massive educational component
featuring a video by superstars Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, an
endorsement from Nickelodeon's "Blues Clues," distribution of one million
booster seats nationwide through United Way agencies and Ford Motor Company
dealers via Toys "R" Us, and a push for new state booster seat laws.  In
addition to the celebrities, federal and state governments and numerous safety
groups are joining Ford Motor Company to increase the use of booster seats
among four-to-eight year olds.

    According to Jason Vines, Vice President of Communications for Ford Motor
Company, "Our study shows that up to three out-of-four parents may not be
taking the proper action to protect their four-to-eight year old in a motor
vehicle.  That's an alarming number.  Boost America! is a $30 million
commitment to child passenger safety, the most extensive ever by an automaker.
The goal is to educate parents and caregivers about the necessity of using a
booster seat, and to convince children that it's the 'cool' way to ride."

    A South Carolina survey by Wirthlin Worldwide found that 84 percent of
South Carolina parents/caregivers of four-to-eight year olds are aware of
booster seats yet only 19 percent use them for their children.  Nearly 70
percent are unaware of the correct ages for booster seat use.

    Currently, most of the children who are the focus of Boost America! ride
either with no protection, or with adult belts that do not fit them properly.
Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that
crash-related fatalities have declined steadily for infants and younger
children because most ride in child safety seats.  But there has been no
similar reduction in fatalities among children roughly ages four to eight (or,
40-80 pounds) because booster seat use nationally is only about 20 percent.
More than 500 children in this age group are killed each year in motor vehicle
crashes, including 20 last year in South Carolina.  Only five states have
higher fatality tolls among this group.

    Vines explained that booster seats provide a necessary safety transition
for children who have outgrown traditional child safety seats, but are not big
enough to use adult lap and shoulder belts.  As the name suggests, a booster
seat raises the child up so that that adult lap/shoulder belts fit and protect
better-snugly across the chest and low over the lap.  Once children try a
booster seat they discover an added benefit-enabling them to see out of the
window better.

    "We announced this program nationally in Washington, DC just a week ago,
and now want to keep up the momentum by taking the message directly to the
cities and towns where most Americans live ... and make decisions about how
children ride in motor vehicles," Vines said.

    Governor Hodges said, "This isn't just a campaign, but a fundamental
obligation.  Children are completely dependent on adults to show them the
right thing when riding in a motor vehicle.  Like many of you, I see
youngsters all the time riding in vehicles without any protection whatsoever.
We've made considerable progress in getting young and old alike to buckle up,
but clearly have much more to do."

    "Being the first state to participate in Boost America! means that the
pressure is on us to set the example.  And, we will do so.  By the time most
of the other state campaigns get underway, we will be on the road to making
sure that all of our youngsters age 4-8 have discovered that booster seats are
the safe and 'cool' way to ride," he added.

    Through the United Way, Ford's Boost America! campaign will provide
500,000 seats to low-income families throughout the United States.  Six
thousand (6,000) free seats will be distributed to needy families by United
Way South Carolina. Through the International Center for Injury Prevention,
every family receiving a free booster seat from United Way will be given
individual instruction on proper use of the seat by a certified child
passenger safety technician.

    Betti Sands, President/CEO of United Way South Carolina, Inc. said, "As a
leading community solutions provider, United Way is always looking to help
people.  Through partnerships with generous corporations like Ford Motor
Company, United Way is better able to reach people with the services they
need."

    In addition, Ford Motor Company will provide free booster seats to its
customers statewide through participating dealers including Ford, Lincoln,
Mercury, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover and Mazda.  Customers will be given
vouchers that can be redeemed for a booster seat at Toys "R" Us stores.  The
voucher will pay for a basic booster seat, or can be applied to reduce the
cost of a more expensive model.

    Linda Nicholas, Juvenile Specialist for Toys "R" Us said, "We are
incredibly pleased to participate in this important campaign to promote
booster seat safety.  Our mission at Toys "R" Us is to improve the lives of
children everywhere, and this initiative will go a long way in doing just
that."

    In addition to traditional public communications, the campaign includes a
unique educational curriculum that already has been sent to every elementary
school and day care center in South Carolina.  The package sent to elementary
schools includes a video by superstars Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith that
is designed to build excitement about booster seats.  Pre-school children will
get a message from the cartoon character 'Blue,' star of Nickelodeon's 'Blues
Clues.'  Also included is a take-home component so parents, caregivers and
siblings can share in the child's learning experience.

    "This is a national campaign with a strong local component.  Ford Motor
Company is serving as the catalyst to unite national and local highway safety
and child welfare organizations to make sure that we spread the word widely,
as well as demonstrate how to use booster seats correctly. For example, NHTSA
and the United Way of America, and its local affiliate, the United Way South
Carolina, are partners in the campaign," Vines explained.

    Joining Vines and the Governor at the event at Forest Lake Elementary
School are Adele Derby, NHTSA's Associate Administrator for State & Community
Services; Troy Ayres, NHTSA Regional Administrator; Betti Sands, President of
the United Way South Carolina; and Boykin Rose, State Director of Public
Safety; Linda Nicholas, Juvenile Specialist, Toys "R" Us; and Robert Cucchi,
Regional Manager, Government Affairs, Ford Motor Company.