CAMP FIRE TODAY

VOL. 19
March/April 1997

AAA SAYS BUCKLE EVERYONE!
KIDS IN THE BACK!

Recent news reports are starting to raise questions in the public's mind about air bags in motor vehicles. On the one hand, we have learned that air bags save lives (almost 500 in the last year alone). On the other hand, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that a number of children have died from the force of a deploying air bag.

In many cases, the children were riding in the front seat either in a rear-facing child safety seat or "out of position," either unbuckled or not wearing the shoulder portion of the safety belt.

As the number of motor vehicles that are equipped with air bags increases, it is paramount that the public be aware of both the value and potential risk of air bags and the proper way to keep people, especially kids, safe in motor vehicles.

"Our message is simple, but one that every American needs to know and act on, " said Marguerite D. Hambleton, President and CEO of AAA Western and Central New York which is taking part in a two-year public education and action campaign. Its goal is to increase proper use of safety belts and child safety seats and inform the public about how to maximize the lifesaving capabilities of air bags while minimizing the risks.

As of January 1996, 50 million passenger cars and light trucks were equipped with air bags. In 5 years, however, more that 50 percent of U.S. autos will have air bags.

"As the number of vehicles with air bags increases, so will the risk to unbuckled children," said Hambleton. "That is why this effort is so important.

"Our job as parents and caregivers is to protect our children; and that means putting the kids in the back seat, securing babies and small children in appropriate child restraints, and making sure that everyone is buckled up on every trip."

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