NEWS RELEASE

National Child Passenger Safety Week 12–18, 2009

Marking the 25th Anniversary of Washington’s Child Restraint Law

This is a sample of localized news releases distributed statewide - customized by location.

August 4, 2009

King County, WA. September 12 – 18, 2009 is National Child Passenger Safety Week, a time for parents to review and refine how children are transported in cars.

In King County, on September 12 from 10 AM – 2 PM, September 18 from 11 AM – 12:30 PM, September 19 from 11 AM – 3 PM, and September 20 from 9 AM – 1 PM, local Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will be conducting Child Car Seat Check-Ups at the following locations:

- Evergreen Hospital, Kirkland (September 12)
- Highline Medical Center Pavilion Cedar Garage, Burien (September 18)
- Merry Go Round Children’s Store, Bellevue (September 19)
- Ikea, Renton (September 20)

An appointment may be required.

Parents and caregivers who transport children in their cars can also locate a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician who will teach them how to buckle children up and properly install a car seat by visiting the Washington State Safety Restraint Coalition website at www.800BUCKLUP.org (and click on “Car Seat Checks” in the left column).

Washington’s child restraint law was passed during 1983 and became effective in January 1984, making this year the 25th Anniversary of the law. As first enacted the law required a driver to buckle a baby in a child safety seat until only one year of age. And that was required only when the child was being transported in the vehicle of a parent or legal guardian. If a driver was transporting a neighbor’s child, the law did not apply.

In June 2007 a more progressive Child Passenger Restraint Law went into effect which mandates that children ride in a properly used and installed child restraint system (car seat or booster seat) until the age of eight, unless they are already 4’ 9” tall. As well, children under the age of 13 must ride in the back seat whenever it is practical to do so.

Nationally, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 3 to 6 and 8 to 14. During 2007, 6,532 passenger vehicle occupants 14 years and younger were involved in fatal crashes.
 
In Washington State, during 2003, there were 15 traffic deaths of children aged nine or younger, and eight during 2008, reflecting almost a 50 percent drop in traffic fatalities involving young children.

To report an unbuckled or improperly restrained child in a vehicle, call 1-800-BUCK-L-UP (800-282-5587). The registered owner will be sent a letter detailing Washington State’s Child Passenger Restraint Law, and encouraging them to buckle children up properly.

For additional information about the Washington State Safety Restraint Coalition call 1 – 800-BUCK-L-UP (1-800-282-5587), or visit the website at www.800bucklup.org.