City of Lewisville Kicks off New Year with Focus on Child Safety; Actor Erik Estrada to Help Demonstrate

LEWISVILLE, Texas--Jan. 13, 2006--The City of Lewisville, Texas Department of Public Safety and 21st Century Insurance will hold a special child safety seat inspection and installation event at the 21st Century Insurance Customer Service Center in Lewisville from 9 a.m. to 12 noon this Saturday, Jan. 14, 2006, providing lifesaving lessons to parents on child passenger safety.

Texas law, which changed Sept. 1, 2005, requires that a child passenger restraint (child safety seat or booster seat) be used on all children younger than five years of age and less than 36 inches tall.

Saturday's event features actor Erik Estrada, best known as "Ponch" on the hit TV show "CHiPs." Estrada joined 21st Century Insurance's child safety initiative five years ago and now helps deliver the safety message throughout Texas and five other states.

"Every inspection provides an opportunity to save a life," said Joyce Prager, Assistant Vice President, Community Relations, 21st Century Insurance. "Last year in Texas alone, our technicians conducted more than 500 inspections and 21st donated more than 380 brand-new seats. We like watching those numbers rise, not the one that says more than 80 percent of seats are improperly installed."

On Saturday, 21st will also announce donations of 250 brand-new child safety seats to the City of Lewisville and 78 brand-new child safety seats to Lewisville child protective service agencies.

"These agencies provide a safe haven for children in times of need, and we must help ensure that they are able to transport these children safely, as well," Prager said.

While the child safety seat inspection and installation demonstration is by appointment only, Estrada will be on hand to greet families, sign autographs and pose for pictures. For those families with appointments, DPS will provide technicians to inspect and, if necessary, replace and install a new child safety seat donated by 21st. Technicians will educate parents and caregivers how to use and install the seats. Children must accompany vehicles for proper fitting.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children two years of age. NHTSA recently updated their information on improper child safety seat installation. New data show that 80 percent of child safety seats are improperly installed and are a potential source of injury for children, up from 73 percent in 2004.

"Recent national statistics show that more than 80 percent of children in vehicles are unrestrained or buckled up incorrectly," said Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Lonny Haschel, Texas Highway Patrol. "A properly installed child safety seat can make the difference between a safe, healthy child and one who's injured or killed."

"Wearing your seatbelt and making sure your children are properly buckled up is the best insurance against being killed or seriously injured in many vehicle crashes," Erik Estrada added. "I urge all parents to have their child's seat inspected. Just a few minutes could save a life."

Federal statistics show a critical need for education regarding booster seat use:

-- According to recent data from NHTSA, at least 80 percent of children who should ride in booster seats currently do not.

-- NHTSA recommends that children who weigh more than 40 pounds or who have outgrown their 5-point harness system should be placed in a booster seat.

-- Using a booster seat allows the seat belt to be positioned across the child where it is most effective and lowers the risk of injury to children in crashes by 59 percent.

Since 21st Century Insurance premiered its child safety seat initiative five years ago, more than 6,600 safety seat inspections have been conducted, more than 2,500 broken, outdated or recalled child safety seats have been destroyed, and 21st has donated more than 5,200 new child safety seats to families. In Texas alone in 2005, more than 500 inspections have been conducted, more than 190 broken, outdated or recalled seats have been destroyed, and 21st has donated more than 380 brand-new child safety seats.

About 21st: Good people to call

Founded in 1958, 21st Century Insurance Group is a direct-to-consumer provider of personal auto insurance covering over 1.5 million vehicles and with $1.3 billion of premiums in California, Texas, Illinois and six other states. 21st provides superior policy features and 24/7 customer service at a competitive price. Customers can purchase insurance, service their policy or report a claim at www.21st.com or on the phone with our licensed insurance professionals at 1-800-211-SAVE. Service is offered in English and Spanish both on the phone and on the Web, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 21st Century Insurance Company and 21st Century Casualty Company are rated A+ by Standard & Poor's. 21st Century Insurance Company, 21st Century Casualty Company and 21st Century Insurance Company of the Southwest are rated A+ Fitch Ratings.

21st Century Insurance Group is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol TW and is headquartered at 21st Century Plaza, 6301 Owensmouth Avenue, Woodland Hills, CA 91367.