AAA/DPS Launch Radio Ad in Support for Strengthening Child Passenger Safety

BURNSVILLE, Minn., Jan. 21, 2004 -- AAA Minnesota/Iowa working in conjunction with Iowa's Department of Public Safety launched a radio ad today in support of strengthening child passenger safety laws. The radio ad encourages Iowans to call their local legislator and ask them to add their support to this legislation. AAA has identified this issue as a top priority and has been promoting this issue vigorously to their 300,000 AAA members in Iowa.

"We are pleased to join with the Iowa Department of Public Safety and Commissioner Techau in making child passenger safety a priority during the upcoming session," said Jeff Ogden, president of AAA Minnesota/Iowa. "AAA is dedicated to child passenger safety through its Seated, Safe and Secure campaign, which aims to strengthen occupant protection laws for everyone under the age of 18. Working with the Commissioner, we decided this radio campaign was an effective tool in our overall strategic plan."

Iowa's law only requires children to be in a restraint up to age 3, and this legislation can give parents the false impression that after this age, children are safe when restrained in a seat belt. Because seat belts were designed to restrain adult males, children are at great risk of injury or death when they are improperly restrained in them.

"Most people do not realize automobile crashes are the No. 1 killer of children in the United States and that many of these deaths could be prevented. It is an enormous challenge to adapt roadways and vehicles to ensure our children's safety, and although the nation has made significant strides in child passenger safety during the past 25 years, improvements are still needed," stated Commissioner Techau.