Riding at Risk?
Children between 8 and 12 years old are dying at a rate of more than one a day, the Insurance Journal said today, causing the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety (ACTS) to raise questions about how frequently kids in this age range are wearing seat belts.
In fact, the non-profit group released the findings of a recent survey of "tweens" in Dallas and Joplin, Mo., which found that one-third of children and half of the 12-year olds surveyed, sat in the front seat (all children are advised to ride in the back seat until age 13).
Furthermore, in Joplin, 63 percent of the children surveyed said they always wear their seat belts, while about 53 percent of Dallas children said they were always buckled up.
According to the Insurance Journal, safety experts are concerned with the survey's findings because the figures trail far below the national seat belt use rate of 82 percent, and further highlights the troubling average that one youngster is fatally wounded in an accident per day.
Mark Rosenker, acting chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board said the survey's findings were indicative that too many children under the age of 12 are not properly restrained in rear seats.
To help combat this issue, the government and several safety groups are discussing ways to improve child passenger safety as part of an annual campaign, reports the Insurance Journal.
The Insurance Journal also points out that the campaign came a week after singer Britney Spears was photographed driving with her infant son in her lap, rather than strapped into a car seat.
While the Transportation secretary called Spears "irresponsible", her actions also set the tone for the ACTS survey, which found that parental influence played a large factor in whether kids would buckle up: more than 9 in 10 children of parents who always wear seat belts reported that they follow suit. But among kids whose parents do not always wear seat belts, only about 6 out of 10 say they always wear a seat belt.
The ACTS recommends that parents lead by example and buckle up themselves, no matter how short the drive. The ACTS also suggests letting kids choose the radio station in exchange for sitting in the back seat and clicking in, as well as stressing that wearing seat belts is required by state law--all of which will promote good habits and keep kids safe in the car.
[Read more about "tween" safety at www.tweensafety.org. ]
