AAA Reminds Us about Importance of Child Car Safety
By: Elsa Gillis
Updated: September 19, 2011
Child Passenger Safety Week began yesterday and AAA is reminding parents and guardians about car seat safety. AAA says that four out of five children ages six to eight killed in car crashes in 2009 were either not wearing a seat belt or not properly buckled in.
Ed Welsh of AAA says that children need to be at least 4'9" tall in order to ride without a car seat. Height, not weight, is most important because the seat belt will only work if it fits the child properly, by going across their shoulder. Welsh says most accidents occur within five miles of people's homes and says people need to treat driving a few miles to the market the same as a longer trip. Car crashes are a leading cause of death for children and Welsh is hoping this week is successful in reminding parents and guardians that anytime you put a child in the car, make sure they are properly buckled in.
