Car Seat Safety Program to Highlight New California Law on Child Safety Seats
WOODLAND HILLS, Calif.--July 20, 2002--In a unique collaboration designed to reduce the leading cause of fatalities among children, the California Highway Patrol and 21st Century Insurance have partnered to launch a consumer safety program promoting compliance with California's new law for child safety seats. The law, effective January 1, requires that a child passenger restraint (child safety seat or booster seat) be used on all children until they are at least 6 years old or 60 pounds.
To help inform the public, CHP and 21st Century will sponsor a series of safety inspection and installation fairs across the state and have created a "Child Safety Seat Parent's Guide" to explain proper seat installation and use. The guide, available in English or Spanish, can be obtained at the safety fairs as well as directly from 21st Century.
"Recent national statistics show that over 80% of children in vehicles are unrestrained or buckled up incorrectly," stated CHP Commissioner D.O. "Spike" Helmick. "A child safety seat, properly installed, can make the difference between a safe, healthy child and one that's injured or killed," added Helmick.
In an effort to help those who need it the most, the child seat safety events will be conducted in underserved communities throughout the state, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Diego, the Central Valley, the Central Coast and the Inland Empire. The first of these safety fairs got underway today at St. Alphonsus Church in East Los Angeles, where nearly 100 local residents received a free car seat inspection and installation. The CHP provided ten specially trained officers paid for under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) "Give Life a Boost" Grant to inspect and, if necessary, replace and install a new car seat donated by 21st Century.
21st Century purchased and donated 100 car seats for today's event and will give away hundreds more to underserved families at the upcoming events during the year. "At 21st Century Insurance, our number one priority is to ensure the safety of all motorists and passengers on the road," said Joyce Prager, Community Marketing Director. "As a California-based company, we are committed to helping our fellow Californians obtain proper car seats and life-saving advice on how to protect their young children while driving."
Actor/icon Erik Estrada joined fair participants to spread the word on child seat safety. Estrada, best known for his role as CHP Officer Frank Poncherello, stated, "It is a documented fact that child safety seats save lives. As a concerned parent of a young child, I urge every parent to get the right car seats for their children!! As well, always make sure child safety seats are installed safely and correctly."
According to NHTSA, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for children. Research shows that 96% of parents believe their children are properly buckled in their safety seats, yet data from actual inspections show that at least 80% of the children riding in child safety seats are improperly restrained. What's more, 71% of traffic fatalities and 66% of injuries could be prevented if every child properly used appropriate car seats.
Effective July 1, 2002, each of the CHP's 99 area offices will designate one day a week when the public can schedule an appointment to have child safety seats inspected and get instruction and assistance with proper seat installation. A list of office locations and telephone numbers is available in the telephone directory or on the CHP web site at www.chp.ca.gov.
The "Child Safety Seat Parent's Guide" is the latest in a series of consumer education materials produced by 21st Century Insurance. In addition to providing consumers with guidance on child safety seats, 21st Century has also produced the "Insider's Guide to Buying California Auto Insurance," a handy step-by-step guide to help consumers get the best rate and coverage for their car. The Woodland Hills-based insurer has also sponsored the development of the award-winning public service program "A Driving Need," which provides senior drivers, their families and caregivers with useful tips to ensure continued safety behind the wheel.
English and Spanish versions of the "Child Safety Seat Parent's Guide," as well as all of 21st Century Insurance's consumer guides, can be obtained by contacting the company's corporate headquarters at 1-800-211-SAVE or visiting its web site, www.i21.com.
Founded in 1958, 21st Century Insurance is a pioneer of the direct-to-consumer marketing of personal automobile insurance, serving customers in California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. The company provides full service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at 1-800-211-SAVE and its company web site, www.i21.com. 21st Century insures over 1.1 million vehicles in California, holds an A+ (Superior) financial rating from A.M. Best, the world's oldest independent insurance rating and information service, and an A+ from Standard & Poor's.
Note to Editors: Info-graphic Available.
