WASHINGTON, Nov. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With motor vehicle crashes being the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 14 and under, Safe Kids USA and its Safe Kids Buckle Up program applaud the National Transportation Safety Board for working to improve child occupant protection by encouraging states to enact laws requiring booster seats for children up to age 8.
As the independent federal agency charged by Congress to investigate transportation accidents, determine their probable cause, and make recommendations to prevent their recurrence, the Most Wanted List of Safety Improvements demonstrates the NTSB's highest priorities and commitments.
This recommendation has been a part of the NTSB's Most Wanted List since 1997. Over the years, there has been a significant increase in the number of states with booster seat laws. While not all of them cover children up to age 8, the safety community with the help and leadership of the NTSB has made steady progress toward this goal.
Currently 43 states and the District of Columbia have some form of booster seat law on the books. Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Minnesota, Ohio, South Dakota and Texas have yet to pass booster seat legislation. In 2001, only two states (California and Washington) had booster seat laws.
"The NTSB board members and staff have often been the catalyst for pushing other government agencies and non-profit organizations to do the right thing when it comes to child occupant protection," said Mitch Stoller, President and CEO of Safe Kids Worldwide. "The NTSB Advocacy Center weighs in on safety issues in state legislatures and has repeatedly shown that the NTSB's support is enough to sway legislators into passing the booster seat laws that most certainly saves children's lives."
About Safe Kids Buckle Up
Safe Kids Buckle Up(R)
is a national program developed by Safe Kids USA and sponsored by the General Motors Foundation and Chevrolet to educate parents and caregivers about the importance of properly restraining children on every ride. Since 1997, the program has inspected one million car seats; held approximately 50,000 car seat checkup events around the country; donated more than 365,000 car seats to families in need and educated more than 19 million parents and caregivers. For more information visit: www.usa.safekids.org.