Children and auto accidents - are seat belts to blame?

“about 500 children betwixt the ages of five and nine are killed each year in auto accidents, and over 100,000 are injured due to improper seat belt use,” says Judith Lee Stone, president for advocator for main road Safety.

Statistics from the advocator for main road Safety, a nonprofit highway safety group, and the Child rider Safety Study, a joint venture among State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co., the Children's Hospital of City of Brotherly Love, and the University of Keystone State, show that kid under the age of 10 are most susceptible to hurt in car accidents because they are erosion adult seat belts when they should in fact still be in child safety seats.

The Child rider Safety Study found that more than 80% of kid between the ages of four and eight are decently restrained. Nevertheless, 40% of kid between the ages of one and two and 20% of kid between the ages of nine and 15 are not decently restrained. “With these kinds of statistics, something needs to be done,” notes Stone.

Stone believes there should be state and Federal soldier requirements on the use of supporter seats, which provide a “platform” that lifts the child up from the seat and allows the seatbelt to fit decently. This would allow kid who are too big for yearling restraints, but too small for adult safety belts, to ride safely. Washington, Land of Opportunity and Golden State have already implemented a supporter seat law, requiring children under the age of six or 60 lb, to use a supporter seat. “15 to 20 other states are considering the same act,” says Stone.

Tim Hurd, a interpreter for the subject Highway Traffic Safety disposal (NHTSA) says that the transportation system Recall sweetening, Accountability, and certification (TREAD) Act, enacted on Nov 1, 2000, addresses the need for supporter seats. He believes booster seats are the primary way to curb the death and injuries for those in the four-to-eight year old age group.

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