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OEA Stands Behind National Effort to Stop Drivers Who Don't Buckle Up Children

21 May 1999

OEA Stands Behind National Effort to Stop Drivers Who Don't Buckle Up Children

    DENVER, May 21 -- OEA, Inc. today announced its
support of a national mobilization this Memorial Day week to protect children
by stepping up enforcement of child passenger safety laws.  Thousands of law
enforcement agencies across the nation are conducting the first 1999 wave of
the Operation ABC Mobilization: America Buckles Up Children -- the largest
ever coordinated stepped-up enforcement effort on drivers who don't buckle up
children.  OEA joins organizations nationwide that endorse the intensive
50-state lifesaving initiative.
    "OEA gives its official 'Endorsement for Enforcement,'" said William R.
Barker, president of OEA Automotive Safety Products.  "We urge zero tolerance
for unbuckled children and hope officers can expand the Mobilization's success
to save even more lives and send a clear message to America.
    "It's our business to save lives, and we're expanding on that by
supporting broad community-based programs such as this one," added Barker.  A
survey by the National Safety Council showed fatalities went down by more than
35% during last May's Operation ABC Mobilization.
    As reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the
impact of the last Operation ABC Mobilization clearly illustrates that
high-visibility enforcement coupled with broad community support works.  OEA
strongly supports the efforts of law enforcement agencies nationwide that save
lives on our roads.
    As part of their enforcement activities throughout the Operation ABC
Mobilization, officers will distribute information on air bag safety and the
importance of making sure children 12 and under ride properly buckled up in
the back seat.
    OEA is the technology leader and a major manufacturer in the air bag
inflator and initiator industry.  The Company is also a leader in the design
and manufacture of personnel escape systems for military aircraft and
high-reliability devices for missile and aerospace applications.