Highest-Ranking Official to Be Certified, Nicole Nason Now Qualified to Teach Proper Use of Car Seats
Nicole R. Nason, Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is one of country's newest Child Passenger Safety Technicians after completing a rigorous three-day course, making her the highest-ranking government official ever to hold the credential.
Child Passenger Safety Technicians train parents and caregivers to select, install and adjust car seats and booster seats and to determine when a child is the right size to move from a child restraint to an adult safety belt. Most of the nation's 30,000 certified technicians are police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, nurses or childcare professionals. The training curriculum is developed by the National Child Passenger Safety Board and the technician credentials are issued by Safe Kids Worldwide.
"We've always enjoyed a good working relationship with NHTSA, but this is the first time the Administrator has joined us in providing direct, hands-on services to families," said Kerry Chausmer, director of certification for Safe Kids Worldwide. "The fact that Ms. Nason took three days out of her schedule to become an accredited expert in one of the many technical aspects of her agency's work is a powerful statement about the importance of child passenger safety."
Nason, a mother of two, noted that technicians can give caregivers the knowledge and confidence to install and adjust car seats correctly themselves. "Caregivers have such an enormous responsibility to make sure children are buckled up correctly, every time they ride," said Nason. "That is why programs like this are so vital for keeping children safe."
Approximately four out of five car seats are used incorrectly, and far too many young children who should be on booster seats are riding in safety belts that are designed to fit adults, said Alexis Kagiliery Lee, East Coast program manager of Safe Kids Buckle Up. "CPS technicians help parents make sense of the detailed instructions, provide hands-on education and sift through all the good and bad advice out there," Lee said.
Lee was the lead instructor, with Chausmer and J.J. Current of Safe Kids Worldwide, Kelly Hamilton of Safe Kids Palm Beach County (Fla.) and Jessica Butterfield of NHTSA assisting. All students passed and were issued credentials that must be renewed every two years through a combination of monitored fieldwork and continuing education.
To find a technician near you, visit http://www.safekids.org/certification
To find a car seat checkup event or your local Safe Kids coalition, visit http://www.usa.safekids.org/ and click on "Find Coalitions and Events Near You."
Safe Kids Worldwide is a global network of organizations whose mission is to prevent accidental childhood injury, a leading killer of children 14 and under. More than 450 coalitions in 16 countries bring together health and safety experts, educators, corporations, foundations, governments and volunteers to educate and protect families. The organization was founded in 1987 by Children's National Medical Center with support from Johnson & Johnson.
Source: Safe Kids Worldwide
e premte, 22 qershor 2007
e enjte, 21 qershor 2007
MADD's Eliminate Drunk Driving Campaign Gains Momentum
Legislative victories on alcohol ignition interlocks in Arizona and Illinois applauded as new national data show drunk driving fatalities on the rise
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) today announced significant state legislative victories in Arizona and Illinois that mandate alcohol ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers, moving one step closer to its goal of a drunk-driving free America. The legislative progress is part of a bold new offensive in the war against drunk driving -- MADD's Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, launched in November 2006.
"Our vision of eliminating drunk driving is one step closer to becoming a reality," said MADD National President Glynn Birch. "As part of MADD's Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, we will continue to work nationwide until every state does what Arizona and Illinois have done."
MADD is also calling for congressional hearings to develop a comprehensive strategy built upon solutions proven to work. MADD's National Board of Directors met recently with members of Congress to champion the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving and lobby for increased focus on the issue of drunk driving.
The Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving has four elements: full implementation of alcohol ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers, intensive high-visibility law enforcement, development of advanced vehicle technologies to prevent drunk driving and grassroots support led by MADD and its 400+ affiliates.
The need for the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving has been underscored by a recent federal report showing that drunk driving deaths are at their highest point since 1992, according to preliminary figures.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fatalities involving a driver with a .08 blood alcohol content or higher rose from 13,613 in 2005 to 13,990 in 2006, representing almost a 3 percent increase. At the same time, overall traffic fatalities were down slightly by 0.3 percent.
"It's clear that more of the same will not help in the fight to make our roads safer," Birch said. "We still have states without the most effective tools in place to deter and stop drunk driving -- sobriety checkpoints and ignition interlocks. These tools stop higher-risk offenders and first-time drunk drivers. There is no justification for not using the tools we know will save lives and prevent injuries."
MADD's aggressive legislative strategy aims to strengthen drunk driving laws in all 50 states. Last month, the Arizona legislature and Governor took a bold step for public safety by mandating alcohol ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers. The Illinois legislature also passed interlock legislation last month, which awaits Governor Blagojevich's signature before becoming law. Louisiana, New York, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania are actively considering interlock laws.
An alcohol ignition interlock is a breath test device linked to a vehicle's ignition system. When a driver wishes to start his or her vehicle, he or she must first blow into the device. The vehicle will not start unless the driver's alcohol level is below a pre-set blood alcohol content (BAC).
"Alcohol ignition interlocks, when installed and monitored, save thousands of lives and help save society money in part by giving offenders the ability to drive without endangering the public," said MADD CEO Chuck Hurley.
Multiple studies have shown alcohol ignition interlocks are up to 90 percent effective in keeping both first-time and repeat offenders from recommitting the crime as long as the interlock is installed on the vehicle. Furthermore, 65 percent of the public supports the mandatory installation of alcohol ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers.
Early results from New Mexico, the first state to mandate ignition interlocks as part of sentencing for all convicted drunk drivers, make the case for a national alcohol ignition interlock policy if reducing the number of drunk drivers on roadways is a priority.
The New Mexico Department of Transportation reported that alcohol-related injury crashes dropped by 20 percent and overall alcohol-related crashes declined by more than 17 percent in the first year the state adopted mandatory interlock legislation.
Despite a 40 percent decline in alcohol-related traffic fatalities since MADD was founded in 1980, the threat of one of the nation's most deadly crimes still remains. Last year, nearly 14,000 people were killed by drunk drivers with an illegal BAC of .08 or above and countless others were injured. This represents more than 1,000 families every month that must live with the tragic consequences of drunk driving.
About MADD
Founded in 1980, MADD's mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. MADD is a 501c(3) non-profit, grassroots organization with approximately 400 affiliates and 2 million members and supporters nationwide. For more information, please visit http://www.madd.org/ or call (800) GET-MADD.
Source: Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) today announced significant state legislative victories in Arizona and Illinois that mandate alcohol ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers, moving one step closer to its goal of a drunk-driving free America. The legislative progress is part of a bold new offensive in the war against drunk driving -- MADD's Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, launched in November 2006.
"Our vision of eliminating drunk driving is one step closer to becoming a reality," said MADD National President Glynn Birch. "As part of MADD's Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving, we will continue to work nationwide until every state does what Arizona and Illinois have done."
MADD is also calling for congressional hearings to develop a comprehensive strategy built upon solutions proven to work. MADD's National Board of Directors met recently with members of Congress to champion the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving and lobby for increased focus on the issue of drunk driving.
The Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving has four elements: full implementation of alcohol ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers, intensive high-visibility law enforcement, development of advanced vehicle technologies to prevent drunk driving and grassroots support led by MADD and its 400+ affiliates.
The need for the Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving has been underscored by a recent federal report showing that drunk driving deaths are at their highest point since 1992, according to preliminary figures.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fatalities involving a driver with a .08 blood alcohol content or higher rose from 13,613 in 2005 to 13,990 in 2006, representing almost a 3 percent increase. At the same time, overall traffic fatalities were down slightly by 0.3 percent.
"It's clear that more of the same will not help in the fight to make our roads safer," Birch said. "We still have states without the most effective tools in place to deter and stop drunk driving -- sobriety checkpoints and ignition interlocks. These tools stop higher-risk offenders and first-time drunk drivers. There is no justification for not using the tools we know will save lives and prevent injuries."
MADD's aggressive legislative strategy aims to strengthen drunk driving laws in all 50 states. Last month, the Arizona legislature and Governor took a bold step for public safety by mandating alcohol ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers. The Illinois legislature also passed interlock legislation last month, which awaits Governor Blagojevich's signature before becoming law. Louisiana, New York, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania are actively considering interlock laws.
An alcohol ignition interlock is a breath test device linked to a vehicle's ignition system. When a driver wishes to start his or her vehicle, he or she must first blow into the device. The vehicle will not start unless the driver's alcohol level is below a pre-set blood alcohol content (BAC).
"Alcohol ignition interlocks, when installed and monitored, save thousands of lives and help save society money in part by giving offenders the ability to drive without endangering the public," said MADD CEO Chuck Hurley.
Multiple studies have shown alcohol ignition interlocks are up to 90 percent effective in keeping both first-time and repeat offenders from recommitting the crime as long as the interlock is installed on the vehicle. Furthermore, 65 percent of the public supports the mandatory installation of alcohol ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers.
Early results from New Mexico, the first state to mandate ignition interlocks as part of sentencing for all convicted drunk drivers, make the case for a national alcohol ignition interlock policy if reducing the number of drunk drivers on roadways is a priority.
The New Mexico Department of Transportation reported that alcohol-related injury crashes dropped by 20 percent and overall alcohol-related crashes declined by more than 17 percent in the first year the state adopted mandatory interlock legislation.
Despite a 40 percent decline in alcohol-related traffic fatalities since MADD was founded in 1980, the threat of one of the nation's most deadly crimes still remains. Last year, nearly 14,000 people were killed by drunk drivers with an illegal BAC of .08 or above and countless others were injured. This represents more than 1,000 families every month that must live with the tragic consequences of drunk driving.
About MADD
Founded in 1980, MADD's mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking. MADD is a 501c(3) non-profit, grassroots organization with approximately 400 affiliates and 2 million members and supporters nationwide. For more information, please visit http://www.madd.org/ or call (800) GET-MADD.
Source: Mothers Against Drunk Driving
e martë, 19 qershor 2007
Cars.com, DriversEd.com Announce Top 10 Driving Mistakes Teenagers Make
Site Offers Advice on Best New Cars for Teens
Cars.com, in conjunction with DriversEd.com, America's leading drivers education resource and solution, have identified the 10 most common mistakes teen drivers make, and identified their choices for the best new cars for teenage drivers.
"There are a number of factors that lead to an increase in accidents for teen drivers, including inexperience, dealing with emergency situations, distracted driving and the inclination to show off for friends," said DriversEd.com founder Gary Tsifrin. "By recognizing these common mistakes, we hope that teenagers will be able to avoid the risks associated with being a teenager behind the wheel."
The most common mistakes are:
Being distracted behind the wheel: Cell phones, CDs, food and even text messages can pose serious distractions to drivers. In some cases, drivers will even text message their backseat passengers. Distracted driving contributes to 80 percent of collisions.
Taking too many risks: Actions like ignoring traffic signals or school zone signs and changing lanes without checking blind spots are all considered "risky behavior." The difference between risky behavior and distracted driving is that risky behavior is deliberate, while distracted driving is often the result of ignorance.
Speeding: Most drivers occasionally speed, but teens do so because they don't have a good sense of how a car's speed can affect their response time. On average, teens drive faster than all other drivers as a whole. They will exceed speeds on residential roads that they interpret as empty because they haven't had any close calls there. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported that speeding factored into roughly one-third of all fatal crashes in 2005 when teenagers were behind the wheel -- some 50 percent more than it did in fatal crashes for 20- to 49-year-olds.
Overcrowding the car: Teens frequently overcrowd their cars, cramming five or six into a cabin meant to seat four or five. Worse yet, the extra passengers often result in teens driving more aggressively. The distractions of carrying too many passengers can have serious consequences as well.
Driving under the influence: When teens drink and drive, they're even less likely to practice safe habits like seat belt usage: Of the 15- to 20-year- olds killed after drinking and driving in 2003, 74 percent were unrestrained, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Because teenagers are too young to drink legally, they're also less likely to call their parents to come get them when they shouldn't drive.
Following too closely: Maintaining a proper following distance is a critical step in preventing accidents. At 60 mph, a typical car needs between 120 and 140 feet to reach a full stop. Most SUVs require an extra 5 to 10 feet on top of that. Consider that 60 mph translates to 88 feet per second and it's easy to see why maintaining a proper following distance is a critical step in preventing accidents.
Driving unbuckled: A 2003 survey by NHTSA reported that 79 percent of drivers ages 16 to 24 said they wore their seat belts regularly, while 84 percent of the overall population did so. Approximately 21 percent of young drivers do not wear their seat belts regularly. Many young drivers have a sense of invincibility that also factors into teen speeding. Fortunately, many cars today have seat belt reminders that flash warning lights or chime until belts are secured. Call them annoying, but they help keep occupants buckled.
Not being able to handle emergencies: Knowing how to avoid an accident comes with driving experience. Young drivers can only learn so much in the classroom, which leaves learning maneuvers like straightening out a skid or how to apply the brakes correctly to real-world experience. Speeding and distracted driving only make things worse, as they compound the lack of experience by putting drivers at higher risk of encountering an emergency situation in the first place.
Driving drowsy: Drowsy driving affects an unlikely group: the so-called "good kids." That means straight-A students or those with a full plate of extracurricular activities. Overachievers have a lot of pressure. If they're playing varsity sports and are also preparing for an AP English exam, and if they've been going since 7 a.m. and now it's midnight and they have to get home, they don't think, "I'm too tired to drive."
Choosing the wrong car and not maintaining it: Too often, a combination of tight budgets and high style leads teens to pass up important safety features for larger engines and flashy accessories. A teen or novice driver will opt for a cool-looking sports car rather than a car that's really a safer choice. Then, if they sink all their money into it, they might be remiss in maintaining it.
Cars.com has several new-car recommendations for teen drivers based on a variety of criteria, including safety, price and size.
"We kept in mind that many parents are more concerned about safety, while their child is looking for style," said Cars.com managing editor Patrick Olsen. "This list offers new-car choices in various body styles and a wide range of prices likely to meet the needs of parents and teens."
Below are the top new-car picks for teens, listed by body style.
Cars:
Chevrolet Impala
Honda Civic
Honda Fit
Mazda3
Mazda MX-5 (Miata) convertible
Mini Cooper
Scion tC
Subaru Impreza
Toyota Corolla
Volvo S40
SUVs:
Hyundai Tucson
Toyota RAV4
Subaru Forester
Pickups:
Nissan Frontier Crew Cab
Toyota Tacoma Double Cab
Criteria and Considerations:
Safety as a category was highly weighted. While neither Cars.com nor DriversEd.com can designate a vehicle as safe or unsafe, an interpretation of crash-test ratings and an audit of safety features was conducted. Crash-test scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety were used in measuring safety.
Due to the rollover risk in SUVs, the most important features considered were electronic stability systems and side curtain airbags. In small vehicles, side-impact airbags and curtains are highly weighted, as they often prove to be the difference between a Poor and a Good IIHS rating for a particular model. No vehicle with weak crash-test ratings was eligible for this list.
Ownership cost/reliability is another important consideration because low ownership cost can easily compensate for a higher sale price. Aside from being problematic, repairs are a significant component in the total cost of ownership. For reliability data, Cars.com relies on J.D. Power and Associates' Mechanical Reliability Ratings and Consumer Reports' Reliability Histories. Other factors in cost of ownership include fuel economy, required fuel grade (octane) and insurance costs, because these are items that many teens end up paying for on their own.
For more advice about buying cars for teen drivers, including information about used-car recommendations, visit Cars.com or DriversEd.com. In addition to these recommendations for teens, Cars.com recently selected the best cars for first-time drivers as part of its annual Lifestyle Awards. Teens and their parents can visit Cars.com's Lifestyle Buying Guide to view these selections and use the site's Lifestyle Criteria Search to choose the car that best meets their needs.
About Cars.com
Partnered with more than 200 leading metro newspapers, television stations and their websites, Cars.com (http://www.cars.com/) is the most comprehensive destination for those looking to buy or sell a new or used car. The site lists more than 2 million vehicles from 13,000 dealer customers, classified advertisers and private parties to offer consumers the best selection of new and used cars online, as well as the content, tools and advice to support their shopping experience. Recently selected by Forbes.com as a Best of the Web site for car shopping, Cars.com combines powerful inventory search tools and new-car configuration with pricing information, photo galleries, buying guides, side-by-side comparison tools, original editorial content and reviews to help millions of car shoppers connect with sellers each month.
Launched in June 1998, Cars.com is a division of Classified Ventures, LLC, which is owned by leading media companies including Belo (NYSE:BLC) , Gannett Co. Inc. (NYSE:GCI) , The McClatchy Company (NYSE:MNI) , Tribune Company (NYSE:TRB) and The Washington Post Company (NYSE:WPO) .
About DriversEd.com:
DriversEd.com "click. learn. drive." is America's leading online drivers education resource and solution. The state specific curriculum is DMV approved and offers fully interactive, comprehensive courses-all online. Founded in 1997, DriversEd.com provides direct training as well as unified school district, charter school and private school partnerships along with national automotive and education initiatives. Fortune magazine says, "The real innovations of the course are the tricks it uses to ensure that students don't rush through the lessons or ask someone else to sit in for them." DriversEd.com is the most-visited drivers education, defensive driving and traffic school site on the Web. For more information on DriversEd.com, (http://www.driversed.com/)
Source: Cars.com
Cars.com, in conjunction with DriversEd.com, America's leading drivers education resource and solution, have identified the 10 most common mistakes teen drivers make, and identified their choices for the best new cars for teenage drivers.
"There are a number of factors that lead to an increase in accidents for teen drivers, including inexperience, dealing with emergency situations, distracted driving and the inclination to show off for friends," said DriversEd.com founder Gary Tsifrin. "By recognizing these common mistakes, we hope that teenagers will be able to avoid the risks associated with being a teenager behind the wheel."
The most common mistakes are:
Being distracted behind the wheel: Cell phones, CDs, food and even text messages can pose serious distractions to drivers. In some cases, drivers will even text message their backseat passengers. Distracted driving contributes to 80 percent of collisions.
Taking too many risks: Actions like ignoring traffic signals or school zone signs and changing lanes without checking blind spots are all considered "risky behavior." The difference between risky behavior and distracted driving is that risky behavior is deliberate, while distracted driving is often the result of ignorance.
Speeding: Most drivers occasionally speed, but teens do so because they don't have a good sense of how a car's speed can affect their response time. On average, teens drive faster than all other drivers as a whole. They will exceed speeds on residential roads that they interpret as empty because they haven't had any close calls there. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported that speeding factored into roughly one-third of all fatal crashes in 2005 when teenagers were behind the wheel -- some 50 percent more than it did in fatal crashes for 20- to 49-year-olds.
Overcrowding the car: Teens frequently overcrowd their cars, cramming five or six into a cabin meant to seat four or five. Worse yet, the extra passengers often result in teens driving more aggressively. The distractions of carrying too many passengers can have serious consequences as well.
Driving under the influence: When teens drink and drive, they're even less likely to practice safe habits like seat belt usage: Of the 15- to 20-year- olds killed after drinking and driving in 2003, 74 percent were unrestrained, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Because teenagers are too young to drink legally, they're also less likely to call their parents to come get them when they shouldn't drive.
Following too closely: Maintaining a proper following distance is a critical step in preventing accidents. At 60 mph, a typical car needs between 120 and 140 feet to reach a full stop. Most SUVs require an extra 5 to 10 feet on top of that. Consider that 60 mph translates to 88 feet per second and it's easy to see why maintaining a proper following distance is a critical step in preventing accidents.
Driving unbuckled: A 2003 survey by NHTSA reported that 79 percent of drivers ages 16 to 24 said they wore their seat belts regularly, while 84 percent of the overall population did so. Approximately 21 percent of young drivers do not wear their seat belts regularly. Many young drivers have a sense of invincibility that also factors into teen speeding. Fortunately, many cars today have seat belt reminders that flash warning lights or chime until belts are secured. Call them annoying, but they help keep occupants buckled.
Not being able to handle emergencies: Knowing how to avoid an accident comes with driving experience. Young drivers can only learn so much in the classroom, which leaves learning maneuvers like straightening out a skid or how to apply the brakes correctly to real-world experience. Speeding and distracted driving only make things worse, as they compound the lack of experience by putting drivers at higher risk of encountering an emergency situation in the first place.
Driving drowsy: Drowsy driving affects an unlikely group: the so-called "good kids." That means straight-A students or those with a full plate of extracurricular activities. Overachievers have a lot of pressure. If they're playing varsity sports and are also preparing for an AP English exam, and if they've been going since 7 a.m. and now it's midnight and they have to get home, they don't think, "I'm too tired to drive."
Choosing the wrong car and not maintaining it: Too often, a combination of tight budgets and high style leads teens to pass up important safety features for larger engines and flashy accessories. A teen or novice driver will opt for a cool-looking sports car rather than a car that's really a safer choice. Then, if they sink all their money into it, they might be remiss in maintaining it.
Cars.com has several new-car recommendations for teen drivers based on a variety of criteria, including safety, price and size.
"We kept in mind that many parents are more concerned about safety, while their child is looking for style," said Cars.com managing editor Patrick Olsen. "This list offers new-car choices in various body styles and a wide range of prices likely to meet the needs of parents and teens."
Below are the top new-car picks for teens, listed by body style.
Cars:
Chevrolet Impala
Honda Civic
Honda Fit
Mazda3
Mazda MX-5 (Miata) convertible
Mini Cooper
Scion tC
Subaru Impreza
Toyota Corolla
Volvo S40
SUVs:
Hyundai Tucson
Toyota RAV4
Subaru Forester
Pickups:
Nissan Frontier Crew Cab
Toyota Tacoma Double Cab
Criteria and Considerations:
Safety as a category was highly weighted. While neither Cars.com nor DriversEd.com can designate a vehicle as safe or unsafe, an interpretation of crash-test ratings and an audit of safety features was conducted. Crash-test scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety were used in measuring safety.
Due to the rollover risk in SUVs, the most important features considered were electronic stability systems and side curtain airbags. In small vehicles, side-impact airbags and curtains are highly weighted, as they often prove to be the difference between a Poor and a Good IIHS rating for a particular model. No vehicle with weak crash-test ratings was eligible for this list.
Ownership cost/reliability is another important consideration because low ownership cost can easily compensate for a higher sale price. Aside from being problematic, repairs are a significant component in the total cost of ownership. For reliability data, Cars.com relies on J.D. Power and Associates' Mechanical Reliability Ratings and Consumer Reports' Reliability Histories. Other factors in cost of ownership include fuel economy, required fuel grade (octane) and insurance costs, because these are items that many teens end up paying for on their own.
For more advice about buying cars for teen drivers, including information about used-car recommendations, visit Cars.com or DriversEd.com. In addition to these recommendations for teens, Cars.com recently selected the best cars for first-time drivers as part of its annual Lifestyle Awards. Teens and their parents can visit Cars.com's Lifestyle Buying Guide to view these selections and use the site's Lifestyle Criteria Search to choose the car that best meets their needs.
About Cars.com
Partnered with more than 200 leading metro newspapers, television stations and their websites, Cars.com (http://www.cars.com/) is the most comprehensive destination for those looking to buy or sell a new or used car. The site lists more than 2 million vehicles from 13,000 dealer customers, classified advertisers and private parties to offer consumers the best selection of new and used cars online, as well as the content, tools and advice to support their shopping experience. Recently selected by Forbes.com as a Best of the Web site for car shopping, Cars.com combines powerful inventory search tools and new-car configuration with pricing information, photo galleries, buying guides, side-by-side comparison tools, original editorial content and reviews to help millions of car shoppers connect with sellers each month.
Launched in June 1998, Cars.com is a division of Classified Ventures, LLC, which is owned by leading media companies including Belo (NYSE:BLC) , Gannett Co. Inc. (NYSE:GCI) , The McClatchy Company (NYSE:MNI) , Tribune Company (NYSE:TRB) and The Washington Post Company (NYSE:WPO) .
About DriversEd.com:
DriversEd.com "click. learn. drive." is America's leading online drivers education resource and solution. The state specific curriculum is DMV approved and offers fully interactive, comprehensive courses-all online. Founded in 1997, DriversEd.com provides direct training as well as unified school district, charter school and private school partnerships along with national automotive and education initiatives. Fortune magazine says, "The real innovations of the course are the tricks it uses to ensure that students don't rush through the lessons or ask someone else to sit in for them." DriversEd.com is the most-visited drivers education, defensive driving and traffic school site on the Web. For more information on DriversEd.com, (http://www.driversed.com/)
Source: Cars.com
e hënë, 18 qershor 2007
National Teen Safe Driving Program to Host Summer Camp in Pittsburgh Area June 26-28
More than 600 students from Pittsburgh-area high schools will participate in free hands-on safe driving events June 26-28, at Consol Energy Park in suburban Washington.
Vehicle crashes remain the number one killer of teenagers in America, including 214 in Pennsylvania in 2005, according to the most recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The “ride-and-drive” events, aimed at reducing teen auto-related deaths in the Pittsburgh area, is part of yearlong partnership Taking the Lead, based on the national Driving Skills for Life program conducted by Ford Motor Company Fund – the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company – and the Governors Highway Safety Association.
During three one-day safe driving sessions, teens will hone their skills in specially equipped vehicles such as skid cars on challenging road courses under the supervision of a team of highly skilled professional instructors. Students arrive at 8:30 a.m. each day and are served a continental breakfast. The sessions include a break for lunch and dinner, and conclude at 6:30 p.m. Also featured will be motivational speakers Tunch Ilkin and Craig Wolfley, former Pittsburgh Steelers and hosts of the popular In the Locker Room with Tunch and Wolf program on Pittsburgh’s WPCW-TV. In addition, there will be other fun activities. Spots remain open for each of the three days. Students can register by going on-line at www.kdka.com, www.drivingskillsforlife.com or call toll-free at 1.888.987.8765. Parents also are encouraged to attend.
The three-day event also is supported by Pittsburgh CBS affiliate KDKA-TV; Westfield Insurance, headquartered in Westfield Center, Ohio, and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT). Also participating in the Taking the Lead partnership is KDKA-TV sister station WPCW-TV, a CW affiliate.
Developed in 2003 by Ford Motor Company Fund, GHSA and a panel of safety experts, Driving Skills for Life aims to help newly licensed drivers develop skills necessary for safe driving beyond what they learn in traditional driver education programs. The Pittsburgh partnership includes on-air messaging, special programming and on-line information.
Studies demonstrate that teen crash rates decline considerably as young drivers gain experience behind the wheel. Driving Skills for Life helps young drivers improve their skills in four key areas that are critical factors in more than 60 percent of teen vehicle crashes:
* Hazard Recognition
* Vehicle Handling
* Space Management
* Speed Management
* “Ford is delighted to have Driving Skills for Life participate in this program with KDKA-TV and Westfield Insurance,” said Jim Vella, President of Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “Taking the Lead demonstrates a solid commitment to help teens develop the additional skills necessary to reduce teen-related auto accidents.”
Said Chris Pike, Vice-President/General Manager of KDKA-TV: “This program fits with our mission of addressing an important issue in our community. Improving the driving skills of Pittsburgh-area teens will hopefully help these drivers and their families avoid the tragedies that are too often experienced in our area.”
Added Roger McManus, President of Westfield Insurance: “We’re proud to be part of this program. There is a growing need in the quest to enhance teen safety for collaboration between parents, law enforcement, advocacy organizations and corporate partners.”
“The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is honored to be part of this very important educational program,” said District 12 Executive Joseph J. Szczur, P.E. “This driving camp provides an excellent opportunity to help teen drivers develop safe driving habits and save lives.”
Driving Skills for Life provides effective learning tools, including the comprehensive interactive Web site that rewards students for taking the initiative to learn safe driving techniques. Several new learning modules have been introduced in 2007, including a car care module designed to assist teens who encounter vehicle problems on the road. In addition, educator materials are available at no charge in English and Spanish, allowing instruction of the program in school or community settings.
Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services is committed to creating opportunities that promote corporate citizenship, philanthropy, volunteerism and cultural diversity for those who live in the communities where Ford does business. Established in 1949 and made possible by Ford Motor Company profits, Ford Motor Company Fund supports initiatives and institutions that foster innovative education, auto-related safety, and American heritage and legacy. National programs include Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies, which provides high school students with academically rigorous 21st century learning experiences, and Driving Skills for Life, a teen-focused auto safety initiative. The Ford Volunteer Corps, established in 2005, continues Ford's legacy of caring worldwide. Through the Volunteer Corps, salaried employees, union members, retirees and their families participate in a wide range of volunteer projects in their communities. For more information on programs made possible by Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services, visit www.ford.com.
The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Indian Nation. GHSA provides leadership and representation for the states and territories to improve traffic safety, influence national policy and enhance program management. Its members are appointed by their Governors to administer federal and state highway safety funds and implement state highway safety plans. Contact GHSA at 202.789.0942 or visit www.ghsa.org .
KDKA-TV , a CBS-owned and operated station, is committed to improving the quality of life in the region we serve. The station has a long history of community involvement including a 53-year tradition of supporting Pittsburgh’s Children’s Hospital with an annual telethon and a 25-year tradition of airing the annual KD Turkey Drive in support of Pittsburgh’s Food Bank.
In business for nearly 160 years, Westfield Insurance provides commercial and personal insurance and surety services to customers in 28 states. Westfield markets its products through more than 1,200 leading independent insurance agencies and is one of the country’s largest property and casualty insurers. Westfield Group provides banking through Westfield Bank SM and agency support through Westfield Services, Inc. Westfield has over $3.4 billion in assets and holds an “A (Excellent)” rating from A.M. Best, a leading insurance financial rating agency. The company has more than 2,500 employees throughout its operating states.
Source: Ford Motor Company
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Vehicle crashes remain the number one killer of teenagers in America, including 214 in Pennsylvania in 2005, according to the most recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The “ride-and-drive” events, aimed at reducing teen auto-related deaths in the Pittsburgh area, is part of yearlong partnership Taking the Lead, based on the national Driving Skills for Life program conducted by Ford Motor Company Fund – the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company – and the Governors Highway Safety Association.
During three one-day safe driving sessions, teens will hone their skills in specially equipped vehicles such as skid cars on challenging road courses under the supervision of a team of highly skilled professional instructors. Students arrive at 8:30 a.m. each day and are served a continental breakfast. The sessions include a break for lunch and dinner, and conclude at 6:30 p.m. Also featured will be motivational speakers Tunch Ilkin and Craig Wolfley, former Pittsburgh Steelers and hosts of the popular In the Locker Room with Tunch and Wolf program on Pittsburgh’s WPCW-TV. In addition, there will be other fun activities. Spots remain open for each of the three days. Students can register by going on-line at www.kdka.com, www.drivingskillsforlife.com or call toll-free at 1.888.987.8765. Parents also are encouraged to attend.
The three-day event also is supported by Pittsburgh CBS affiliate KDKA-TV; Westfield Insurance, headquartered in Westfield Center, Ohio, and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT). Also participating in the Taking the Lead partnership is KDKA-TV sister station WPCW-TV, a CW affiliate.
Developed in 2003 by Ford Motor Company Fund, GHSA and a panel of safety experts, Driving Skills for Life aims to help newly licensed drivers develop skills necessary for safe driving beyond what they learn in traditional driver education programs. The Pittsburgh partnership includes on-air messaging, special programming and on-line information.
Studies demonstrate that teen crash rates decline considerably as young drivers gain experience behind the wheel. Driving Skills for Life helps young drivers improve their skills in four key areas that are critical factors in more than 60 percent of teen vehicle crashes:
* Hazard Recognition
* Vehicle Handling
* Space Management
* Speed Management
* “Ford is delighted to have Driving Skills for Life participate in this program with KDKA-TV and Westfield Insurance,” said Jim Vella, President of Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “Taking the Lead demonstrates a solid commitment to help teens develop the additional skills necessary to reduce teen-related auto accidents.”
Said Chris Pike, Vice-President/General Manager of KDKA-TV: “This program fits with our mission of addressing an important issue in our community. Improving the driving skills of Pittsburgh-area teens will hopefully help these drivers and their families avoid the tragedies that are too often experienced in our area.”
Added Roger McManus, President of Westfield Insurance: “We’re proud to be part of this program. There is a growing need in the quest to enhance teen safety for collaboration between parents, law enforcement, advocacy organizations and corporate partners.”
“The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is honored to be part of this very important educational program,” said District 12 Executive Joseph J. Szczur, P.E. “This driving camp provides an excellent opportunity to help teen drivers develop safe driving habits and save lives.”
Driving Skills for Life provides effective learning tools, including the comprehensive interactive Web site that rewards students for taking the initiative to learn safe driving techniques. Several new learning modules have been introduced in 2007, including a car care module designed to assist teens who encounter vehicle problems on the road. In addition, educator materials are available at no charge in English and Spanish, allowing instruction of the program in school or community settings.
Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services is committed to creating opportunities that promote corporate citizenship, philanthropy, volunteerism and cultural diversity for those who live in the communities where Ford does business. Established in 1949 and made possible by Ford Motor Company profits, Ford Motor Company Fund supports initiatives and institutions that foster innovative education, auto-related safety, and American heritage and legacy. National programs include Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies, which provides high school students with academically rigorous 21st century learning experiences, and Driving Skills for Life, a teen-focused auto safety initiative. The Ford Volunteer Corps, established in 2005, continues Ford's legacy of caring worldwide. Through the Volunteer Corps, salaried employees, union members, retirees and their families participate in a wide range of volunteer projects in their communities. For more information on programs made possible by Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services, visit www.ford.com.
The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Indian Nation. GHSA provides leadership and representation for the states and territories to improve traffic safety, influence national policy and enhance program management. Its members are appointed by their Governors to administer federal and state highway safety funds and implement state highway safety plans. Contact GHSA at 202.789.0942 or visit www.ghsa.org .
KDKA-TV , a CBS-owned and operated station, is committed to improving the quality of life in the region we serve. The station has a long history of community involvement including a 53-year tradition of supporting Pittsburgh’s Children’s Hospital with an annual telethon and a 25-year tradition of airing the annual KD Turkey Drive in support of Pittsburgh’s Food Bank.
In business for nearly 160 years, Westfield Insurance provides commercial and personal insurance and surety services to customers in 28 states. Westfield markets its products through more than 1,200 leading independent insurance agencies and is one of the country’s largest property and casualty insurers. Westfield Group provides banking through Westfield Bank SM and agency support through Westfield Services, Inc. Westfield has over $3.4 billion in assets and holds an “A (Excellent)” rating from A.M. Best, a leading insurance financial rating agency. The company has more than 2,500 employees throughout its operating states.
Source: Ford Motor Company
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Cellular Detection System Takes Aim at Motorists
It's an undisputed fact that drivers using cell phones become distracted, which has led to many accidents as well as a large number of fatalities. Consequently, many states have taken action by passing laws making it illegal to use a cell phone while driving.
While some motorists may see this as just another Big Brother master plan to infringe on their civil liberties and rob them of their privacy, the more informed will see it as a safety issue, just the same as seat belts and child restraints.
The challenge for municipalities is how to enforce laws banning cell phone use other than a police officer making a visual observation. With today's technology, there is a better solution.
"Automated detection of drivers using cell phones is a reality today," says Michael Rosen, President and CEO of Highway Safety & Technology (HST). "Our automated detection system will assist communities in enforcing laws which ban cell phone use while driving and aid in reducing traffic accidents," Rosen adds. "The safety of drivers, passengers and other motorists is far more important than the perceived loss of personal privacy and convenience."
Since 1997, there have been many independent studies conducted on cell phone use while driving. One example, the University of Utah has determined that drivers using cell phones are 5.6 times more likely to get into an accident than non-distracted drivers are. Some reports compare the recklessness of drivers using cell phones with drivers who are intoxicated.
Designed to detect, identify and cite drivers, who break cell phone use laws, HST's Cellular Detection System is the first of its kind in the world. It will be ready for use by municipalities in the United States this fall. The system uses sophisticated electronic-sensing equipment, which can either be pole-mounted or installed on a mobile unit.
An added benefit of the automated HST Cellular Detection System is that it frees up time for law enforcement officers to direct their efforts to other serious crimes.
HST plans to provide participating municipalities with a complete package consisting of electronic detection equipment, signage and legislation necessary to facilitate the legal process.
HST has a pending USA patent for its Cellular Detection System and is applying for patents throughout Europe. "The company wants to eventually take its process worldwide," says Rosen, an inventor and entrepreneur whose company is headquartered at 1692 Merriman Road, Akron, Ohio.
For more information visit HST's Web site at http://www.hwstusa.com/
Source: Highway Safety & Technology
While some motorists may see this as just another Big Brother master plan to infringe on their civil liberties and rob them of their privacy, the more informed will see it as a safety issue, just the same as seat belts and child restraints.
The challenge for municipalities is how to enforce laws banning cell phone use other than a police officer making a visual observation. With today's technology, there is a better solution.
"Automated detection of drivers using cell phones is a reality today," says Michael Rosen, President and CEO of Highway Safety & Technology (HST). "Our automated detection system will assist communities in enforcing laws which ban cell phone use while driving and aid in reducing traffic accidents," Rosen adds. "The safety of drivers, passengers and other motorists is far more important than the perceived loss of personal privacy and convenience."
Since 1997, there have been many independent studies conducted on cell phone use while driving. One example, the University of Utah has determined that drivers using cell phones are 5.6 times more likely to get into an accident than non-distracted drivers are. Some reports compare the recklessness of drivers using cell phones with drivers who are intoxicated.
Designed to detect, identify and cite drivers, who break cell phone use laws, HST's Cellular Detection System is the first of its kind in the world. It will be ready for use by municipalities in the United States this fall. The system uses sophisticated electronic-sensing equipment, which can either be pole-mounted or installed on a mobile unit.
An added benefit of the automated HST Cellular Detection System is that it frees up time for law enforcement officers to direct their efforts to other serious crimes.
HST plans to provide participating municipalities with a complete package consisting of electronic detection equipment, signage and legislation necessary to facilitate the legal process.
HST has a pending USA patent for its Cellular Detection System and is applying for patents throughout Europe. "The company wants to eventually take its process worldwide," says Rosen, an inventor and entrepreneur whose company is headquartered at 1692 Merriman Road, Akron, Ohio.
For more information visit HST's Web site at http://www.hwstusa.com/
Source: Highway Safety & Technology
e enjte, 14 qershor 2007
OSRAM Opto Semiconductors Is Working to Make Vehicles and Streets Safer
With an Array of Lighting and Sensing Technologies
NORTHVILLE, Mich., June 12 /PRNewswire/ -- In the last five years, Active Safety has become a hot topic in the automotive sector as automakers and suppliers strive to develop technologies that not only make vehicles safer but help them avoid accidents altogether.
OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, Inc., supports the drive for active safety with a variety of lighting and sensing technologies that alert drivers to dangerous situations inside and outside a moving vehicle.
Renowned for its Light Emitting Diodes (LED) products, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors is also a leader in the field of photonics - the study and application of electromagnetic energy whose basic unit is the photon, incorporating optics, laser technology, electrical engineering, materials science and information storage and processing.
This expertise has enabled OSRAM to collaborate on a number of present and future active safety innovations, including:
-- Adaptive front lighting
-- Near-infrared (NIR) night vision
-- Blind spot sensing
-- Heads-up displays
-- Lane departure warning devices
-- Pedestrian protection and pre-crash sensing systems
-- Drowsy driver sensing systems
"All of these safety advances rely, in one way or another, on sensing, illumination and visualization," said Sevugan Nagappan, marketing manager for infrared/laser products at OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, Inc. "These attributes are core to our automotive product offerings, explaining why we've been asked to help develop so many of these vitally important technologies." Nagappan said the area of Active Safety is in a growth mode, whereas Passive Safety (seat belts, airbags, crumple zone, etc.) advances have peaked.
"In 2006, most of the vehicles in the market had a five-star safety rating, indicating that advancements in Passive Safety have reached a saturation level," Nagappan added. "Incremental improvements in Passive Safety will not lead to significant advances in overall safety of the vehicle. Additional life-saving potential is in Active Safety, buoyed by advancements in electronics and semiconductor technology."
About OSRAM Opto Semiconductors
OSRAM Opto Semiconductors is a wholly owned subsidiary of OSRAM, one of the world's two leading lighting manufacturers. It offers its customers solutions based on semiconductor technology for lighting, sensor and visualization applications. The company operates sites in Regensburg (Germany), San Jose, Calif. (USA) and Penang (Malaysia). For the fiscal year ending in September 2005, the more than 3,500 employees of OSRAM Opto Semiconductors achieved a sales volume of 452 million euros. For more information, visit www.osram-os.com.
Source: OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, Inc.
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NORTHVILLE, Mich., June 12 /PRNewswire/ -- In the last five years, Active Safety has become a hot topic in the automotive sector as automakers and suppliers strive to develop technologies that not only make vehicles safer but help them avoid accidents altogether.
OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, Inc., supports the drive for active safety with a variety of lighting and sensing technologies that alert drivers to dangerous situations inside and outside a moving vehicle.
Renowned for its Light Emitting Diodes (LED) products, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors is also a leader in the field of photonics - the study and application of electromagnetic energy whose basic unit is the photon, incorporating optics, laser technology, electrical engineering, materials science and information storage and processing.
This expertise has enabled OSRAM to collaborate on a number of present and future active safety innovations, including:
-- Adaptive front lighting
-- Near-infrared (NIR) night vision
-- Blind spot sensing
-- Heads-up displays
-- Lane departure warning devices
-- Pedestrian protection and pre-crash sensing systems
-- Drowsy driver sensing systems
"All of these safety advances rely, in one way or another, on sensing, illumination and visualization," said Sevugan Nagappan, marketing manager for infrared/laser products at OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, Inc. "These attributes are core to our automotive product offerings, explaining why we've been asked to help develop so many of these vitally important technologies." Nagappan said the area of Active Safety is in a growth mode, whereas Passive Safety (seat belts, airbags, crumple zone, etc.) advances have peaked.
"In 2006, most of the vehicles in the market had a five-star safety rating, indicating that advancements in Passive Safety have reached a saturation level," Nagappan added. "Incremental improvements in Passive Safety will not lead to significant advances in overall safety of the vehicle. Additional life-saving potential is in Active Safety, buoyed by advancements in electronics and semiconductor technology."
About OSRAM Opto Semiconductors
OSRAM Opto Semiconductors is a wholly owned subsidiary of OSRAM, one of the world's two leading lighting manufacturers. It offers its customers solutions based on semiconductor technology for lighting, sensor and visualization applications. The company operates sites in Regensburg (Germany), San Jose, Calif. (USA) and Penang (Malaysia). For the fiscal year ending in September 2005, the more than 3,500 employees of OSRAM Opto Semiconductors achieved a sales volume of 452 million euros. For more information, visit www.osram-os.com.
Source: OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, Inc.
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TRW Automotive Collaborates with Chinese Motor Vehicle Inspection Agency to Develop Passive Safety Testing Capabilities
TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. (NYSE:TRW) has signed an agreement with the National Center of Supervision and Inspection of Motor Vehicle Products Quality (Shanghai) to co-invest in dynamic test capabilities supporting the occupant safety system (OSS) development of domestic Chinese customers. Capabilities will include head impact and body block tests to correspond with legal regulations and a programmable Hydro-Brake system for crash simulation sled testing.
Formerly known as the Shanghai Motor Vehicle Inspection Center, the Chinese agency was upgraded to a national third-party testing facility three years ago in response to the growing needs for independent vehicle testing and assessment in the country. The expanded facility resides in the town of Anting, offering ten labs for comprehensive full-vehicle and parts testing, inspection and assessment.
Zhongrong Huang, vice director of the agency, commented, "Our ambition is to build a world-class crash test facility in China. We are very pleased to collaborate with TRW, a global technology leader, in developing our testing capabilities on automotive safety components."
The launch of two Chinese new car assessment programs last year has sparked national interest in the passive safety features of motor vehicles. Crash test results were widely reported and assessment standards received increased scrutiny.
"As an industry leader in automotive safety, TRW has firmly planted itself in China with three occupant safety plants and a world-class engineering facility, poised to assist our Chinese customers in meeting the ever- increasing consumer expectations of vehicle safety," said Joachim Poole, OSS chief engineer, TRW Asia Pacific.
TRW supplies the full-range of its OSS products to the Chinese market including airbags, seat belts, steering wheels and safety electronics. The Shanghai-based TRW Asia-Pacific technology center provides comprehensive engineering support to its Chinese manufacturing facilities and its customers. Based on technological expertise and state-of-the-art equipment, the operation is engaged in specific design and simulation development, expert application engineering, and final product testing and validation according to local customer and market needs.
Poole pointed out that the agreement with the National Center of Supervision and Inspection on Motor Vehicle Products Quality (Shanghai) marked the first such collaborative effort between a Chinese national vehicle inspection agency and a multinational automotive supplier in Shanghai. He added, "Through this partnership, we have established another platform to work with Chinese vehicle manufacturers toward a common goal of helping to make safer cars for China and the world."
About TRW
With 2006 sales of $13.1 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world's leading automotive suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the Company, through its subsidiaries, employs approximately 63,800 people in 28 countries. TRW Automotive products include integrated vehicle control and driver assist systems, braking systems, steering systems, suspension systems, occupant safety systems (seat belts and airbags), electronics, engine components, fastening systems and aftermarket replacement parts and services. TRW has established 12 entities in China including 10 plants manufacturing the complete line of its core products. All references to "TRW Automotive", "TRW" or the "Company" in this press release refer to TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated.
TRW Automotive news is available on the internet at http://www.trwauto.com/
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains statements that are not statements of historical fact, but instead are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements made in this release. Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in our forward-looking statements are set forth in our Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 (the "10-K"), and our report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 30, 2007, and include: the ability of TRW's subsidiaries to succeed in China; production cuts or restructuring by our major customers; work stoppages or other labor issues at the facilities of our customers or suppliers; non-performance by, or insolvency of, our suppliers and customers, which may be exacerbated by recent bankruptcies and other pressures within the automotive industry; the inability of our suppliers to deliver products at the scheduled rate and disruptions arising in connection therewith; interest rate risk arising from our variable rate indebtedness (which constitutes a majority of the company's indebtedness), especially in view of the current climate of rising interest rates; loss of market share by domestic vehicle manufacturers; efforts by our customers to consolidate their supply base; severe inflationary pressures impacting the market for commodities; escalating pricing pressures from our customers; our dependence on our largest customers; fluctuations in foreign exchange rates; our substantial leverage; product liability and warranty and recall claims; limitations on flexibility in operating our business contained in our debt agreements; the possibility that our owners' interests will conflict with ours and other risks and uncertainties set forth under "Risk Factors" in the 10-K and in our other SEC filings. We do not intend or assume any obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.
Source: TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.
Formerly known as the Shanghai Motor Vehicle Inspection Center, the Chinese agency was upgraded to a national third-party testing facility three years ago in response to the growing needs for independent vehicle testing and assessment in the country. The expanded facility resides in the town of Anting, offering ten labs for comprehensive full-vehicle and parts testing, inspection and assessment.
Zhongrong Huang, vice director of the agency, commented, "Our ambition is to build a world-class crash test facility in China. We are very pleased to collaborate with TRW, a global technology leader, in developing our testing capabilities on automotive safety components."
The launch of two Chinese new car assessment programs last year has sparked national interest in the passive safety features of motor vehicles. Crash test results were widely reported and assessment standards received increased scrutiny.
"As an industry leader in automotive safety, TRW has firmly planted itself in China with three occupant safety plants and a world-class engineering facility, poised to assist our Chinese customers in meeting the ever- increasing consumer expectations of vehicle safety," said Joachim Poole, OSS chief engineer, TRW Asia Pacific.
TRW supplies the full-range of its OSS products to the Chinese market including airbags, seat belts, steering wheels and safety electronics. The Shanghai-based TRW Asia-Pacific technology center provides comprehensive engineering support to its Chinese manufacturing facilities and its customers. Based on technological expertise and state-of-the-art equipment, the operation is engaged in specific design and simulation development, expert application engineering, and final product testing and validation according to local customer and market needs.
Poole pointed out that the agreement with the National Center of Supervision and Inspection on Motor Vehicle Products Quality (Shanghai) marked the first such collaborative effort between a Chinese national vehicle inspection agency and a multinational automotive supplier in Shanghai. He added, "Through this partnership, we have established another platform to work with Chinese vehicle manufacturers toward a common goal of helping to make safer cars for China and the world."
About TRW
With 2006 sales of $13.1 billion, TRW Automotive ranks among the world's leading automotive suppliers. Headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, USA, the Company, through its subsidiaries, employs approximately 63,800 people in 28 countries. TRW Automotive products include integrated vehicle control and driver assist systems, braking systems, steering systems, suspension systems, occupant safety systems (seat belts and airbags), electronics, engine components, fastening systems and aftermarket replacement parts and services. TRW has established 12 entities in China including 10 plants manufacturing the complete line of its core products. All references to "TRW Automotive", "TRW" or the "Company" in this press release refer to TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated.
TRW Automotive news is available on the internet at http://www.trwauto.com/
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains statements that are not statements of historical fact, but instead are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements made in this release. Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in our forward-looking statements are set forth in our Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 (the "10-K"), and our report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 30, 2007, and include: the ability of TRW's subsidiaries to succeed in China; production cuts or restructuring by our major customers; work stoppages or other labor issues at the facilities of our customers or suppliers; non-performance by, or insolvency of, our suppliers and customers, which may be exacerbated by recent bankruptcies and other pressures within the automotive industry; the inability of our suppliers to deliver products at the scheduled rate and disruptions arising in connection therewith; interest rate risk arising from our variable rate indebtedness (which constitutes a majority of the company's indebtedness), especially in view of the current climate of rising interest rates; loss of market share by domestic vehicle manufacturers; efforts by our customers to consolidate their supply base; severe inflationary pressures impacting the market for commodities; escalating pricing pressures from our customers; our dependence on our largest customers; fluctuations in foreign exchange rates; our substantial leverage; product liability and warranty and recall claims; limitations on flexibility in operating our business contained in our debt agreements; the possibility that our owners' interests will conflict with ours and other risks and uncertainties set forth under "Risk Factors" in the 10-K and in our other SEC filings. We do not intend or assume any obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.
Source: TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.
e shtunë, 9 qershor 2007
New Video Focuses on Older Driver Issues
Fact or myth? Do older drivers cause more accidents than younger drivers? This can be a sore subject, depending on your age. Equally controversial is the question of whether people should have to stop driving at a certain age. These and other older driver issues are featured in a 36-minute DVD, "Mobility Matters for Older Drivers," produced and released by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC).
As the Bay Area's population ages, and more senior drivers are on the road, questions concerning their continued driving abilities and alternatives to driving become more critical.
"The number of Bay Area residents 65 and older is expected to increase 84 percent between 2000 and 2020," notes MTC Commissioner Adrienne Tissier, "and the number of people age 85 or older in the region will grow by 108 percent. I hope this video makes people start thinking about how older people can stay mobile and not lose their quality of life if they can no longer drive."
Topics covered in the video include "myths and facts" about older drivers; what happens when a driver is referred to the DMV; a free service that helps seniors "fit" their cars; new, more visible roadway signage; and how families should discuss "giving up the car keys" with older family members. It features experts from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, California State Automobile Association, Caltrans, the American Association of Retired Persons, and more, plus an introduction by former State Senator Quentin Kopp.
The video is based on a Regional Summit on Older Drivers, sponsored by MTC and SamTrans.
To order a free copy of the DVD, email library@mtc.ca.gov or call 510.817.5836. The DVD is available to the public free of charge and also can be viewed on the MTC Web site (http://www.mtc.ca.gov/). MTC is the regional transportation planning, financing and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.
Source: Metropolitan Transportation Commission
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As the Bay Area's population ages, and more senior drivers are on the road, questions concerning their continued driving abilities and alternatives to driving become more critical.
"The number of Bay Area residents 65 and older is expected to increase 84 percent between 2000 and 2020," notes MTC Commissioner Adrienne Tissier, "and the number of people age 85 or older in the region will grow by 108 percent. I hope this video makes people start thinking about how older people can stay mobile and not lose their quality of life if they can no longer drive."
Topics covered in the video include "myths and facts" about older drivers; what happens when a driver is referred to the DMV; a free service that helps seniors "fit" their cars; new, more visible roadway signage; and how families should discuss "giving up the car keys" with older family members. It features experts from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, California State Automobile Association, Caltrans, the American Association of Retired Persons, and more, plus an introduction by former State Senator Quentin Kopp.
The video is based on a Regional Summit on Older Drivers, sponsored by MTC and SamTrans.
To order a free copy of the DVD, email library@mtc.ca.gov or call 510.817.5836. The DVD is available to the public free of charge and also can be viewed on the MTC Web site (http://www.mtc.ca.gov/). MTC is the regional transportation planning, financing and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.
Source: Metropolitan Transportation Commission
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ATA Urges Motorists Not to Tailgate Trucks
ATA Notes Resurgence of Dangerous Practice Known as 'Drafting'
ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Trucking Associations (ATA) is urging automobile drivers to avoid the dangerous practice of tailgating heavy trucks in efforts to increase fuel economy. The nation's largest trucking industry trade group also is advising fleet safety directors to warn their drivers and owner-operators about the resurgence of this dangerous practice among automobile drivers, known as "drafting."
"Drafting" involves driving a car very close behind a truck to use the reduction of wind resistance to reduce the amount of energy needed to propel the auto.
"Few driving behaviors are more dangerous on our highways than drafting," said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. "Drivers who practice this unsafe behavior are often out of the field of vision of the truck driver and are unable to see around the truck. 'Drafting' is unsafe, illegal and significantly increases the chances of injury and death. This practice compromises the safety of everyone on the nation's highways and must not be considered a viable means of extending fuel mileage."
ATA recently learned that drafting is being promoted by two websites dedicated to "hypermiling" and several recent news articles have described the hazardous fad. Hypermiling is an invented term for achieving high fuel economy by several means, including dangerous ones such as driving partly on the right shoulder, over-inflating tires, coasting with the ignition off and "drafting" behind tractor-trailers. Unfortunately, a segment about drafting shown recently on the Discovery Channel show "Mythbusters" is bound to prompt some drivers to try this stunt, which the show's hosts called "suicidal." ATA is working to educate the public on safe following distances through its Share the Road safety program.
"While drivers everywhere are feeling pinched by the high price of gasoline, safety should never come at the expense of fuel efficiency," said John Hill, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Administrator. "FMCSA works closely with states and industry to educate consumers about large truck safety, and to target passenger vehicles that drive dangerously around commercial vehicles - including extreme tailgating, called 'drafting.' 'Hypermilers,' and others who embrace such reckless tactics, must consider their safety and those with whom they share the road, especially if a truck had to brake suddenly. These highly unsafe driving behaviors must be avoided by all motorists."
Stephen Campbell, Executive Director of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance said, "There are far too many crashes involving cars and trucks where following too closely is identified as a contributing factor. If motorists are 'drafting' the truck driver more than likely cannot see them. Enforcement officers are on the lookout for, and will take action on, these unsafe and dangerous driving behaviors by 4-wheelers around trucks."
Source: American Trucking Associations
ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Trucking Associations (ATA) is urging automobile drivers to avoid the dangerous practice of tailgating heavy trucks in efforts to increase fuel economy. The nation's largest trucking industry trade group also is advising fleet safety directors to warn their drivers and owner-operators about the resurgence of this dangerous practice among automobile drivers, known as "drafting."
"Drafting" involves driving a car very close behind a truck to use the reduction of wind resistance to reduce the amount of energy needed to propel the auto.
"Few driving behaviors are more dangerous on our highways than drafting," said ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. "Drivers who practice this unsafe behavior are often out of the field of vision of the truck driver and are unable to see around the truck. 'Drafting' is unsafe, illegal and significantly increases the chances of injury and death. This practice compromises the safety of everyone on the nation's highways and must not be considered a viable means of extending fuel mileage."
ATA recently learned that drafting is being promoted by two websites dedicated to "hypermiling" and several recent news articles have described the hazardous fad. Hypermiling is an invented term for achieving high fuel economy by several means, including dangerous ones such as driving partly on the right shoulder, over-inflating tires, coasting with the ignition off and "drafting" behind tractor-trailers. Unfortunately, a segment about drafting shown recently on the Discovery Channel show "Mythbusters" is bound to prompt some drivers to try this stunt, which the show's hosts called "suicidal." ATA is working to educate the public on safe following distances through its Share the Road safety program.
"While drivers everywhere are feeling pinched by the high price of gasoline, safety should never come at the expense of fuel efficiency," said John Hill, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Administrator. "FMCSA works closely with states and industry to educate consumers about large truck safety, and to target passenger vehicles that drive dangerously around commercial vehicles - including extreme tailgating, called 'drafting.' 'Hypermilers,' and others who embrace such reckless tactics, must consider their safety and those with whom they share the road, especially if a truck had to brake suddenly. These highly unsafe driving behaviors must be avoided by all motorists."
Stephen Campbell, Executive Director of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance said, "There are far too many crashes involving cars and trucks where following too closely is identified as a contributing factor. If motorists are 'drafting' the truck driver more than likely cannot see them. Enforcement officers are on the lookout for, and will take action on, these unsafe and dangerous driving behaviors by 4-wheelers around trucks."
Source: American Trucking Associations
MADD Announces Winners of 5th Annual National MADD Media Awards
20 Awards for Outstanding Coverage of Drunk Driving and Underage Drinking Issues: The Santa Fe New Mexican and NBC Today Show Earn MADD's Highest Honors
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) announced today the 20 winners of its 5th annual national MADD Media Awards program. The 2007 MADD Media Awards, sponsored by Nationwide Insurance and Volkswagen, are in recognition of outstanding media coverage advancing MADD's mission to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking.
"The media plays a vital role in educating the public and raising awareness about the dangers of drunk driving and underage drinking," says Glynn Birch, MADD national president. "This awards program is MADD's way of thanking the media for its support of MADD's mission."
MADD's top honor -- the Award of Excellence -- goes to NBC Today Show for broadcast media and to The Santa Fe New Mexican in Santa Fe, N.M. for print media. NBC Today Show Contributor and Security Specialist Bill Stanton illustrated the effects of drinking and driving at different blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) while under the supervision of state police on a controlled driving track. The Santa Fe New Mexican published a series of stories after five members of a Las Vegas family were killed by a drunk driver going the wrong way on Interstate 25 outside of Santa Fe last November.
The 2007 MADD Media Awards winners are:
-- Award of Excellence -- Broadcast -- NBC Today Show
-- Award of Excellence -- Print -- The Santa Fe New Mexican, Santa Fe, N.M.
-- National Television: Drunk Driving Issues -- Good Morning America Weekend Edition, ABC News
-- National Television: Underage Drinking Issues -- CNN Lou Dobbs Tonight
-- National Television: Special Programming -- The Party Never Stops, Lifetime Television
-- Local Television: Drunk Driving Issues -- KRQE-TV, Albuquerque, N.M.
-- Local Television: Drunk Driving Issues-Series -- WBKO-TV, Bowling Green, Ky.
-- Local Television: Underage Drinking Issues -- WBRC-TV, Birmingham, Ala.
-- Radio: Drunk Driving Issues -- NewsTalk 1530 KFBK, Sacramento, Calif.
-- Radio: Underage Drinking Issues -- MediaTracks Communications, Des Plaines, Ill.
-- Newspaper: Drunk Driving Issues -- The State, Columbia, S.C.
-- Newspaper: Underage Drinking Issues -- The Charlotte Observer, Charlotte, N.C.
-- National Magazine: Drunk Driving Issues -- Wired
-- National Magazine: Underage Drinking Issues -- Teen Vogue
-- Local Magazine: Drunk Driving Issues -- Seattle Magazine
-- Trade Magazine: Underage Drinking Issues -- Scholastic Choices
-- Spanish-Language Media: Broadcast -- Univision 38, Goleta, Calif.
-- Spanish-Language Media: Print -- La Voz de Nuevo Mexico, Santa Fe, N.M.
-- Community Awareness: Programming -- MetroBeat TV, Comcast, Denver Metro Area
-- Community Awareness: Public Service Announcements -- R & R Partners, Salt Lake City, Utah
The 2007 award winners will be honored at a luncheon as part of MADD's National Conference on September 7 in St. Louis, Mo. The MADD Media Awards have been sponsored by Nationwide Insurance for five years and Volkswagen for three years.
"Eliminating drunk driving must start with education," said Bill Windsor, vice president of safety for Nationwide. "Nationwide applauds the media for joining us in this important life saving crusade."
David Geanacopoulos, Director, Industry - Government Relations of Volkswagen of America, Inc. says, "As a proud supporter of MADD, Volkswagen congratulates and thanks this year's Media Award winners for building and sustaining public awareness of the dangers of drunk driving. Your work illuminates the path toward concrete actions that save lives every day."
Each year, more than 13,000 people are killed in drunk driving crashes and half a million others are injured in alcohol-related traffic crashes. In 2006, MADD served more than 41,000 victims/survivors of drunk driving. In 2006, MADD launched its Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving that includes support for increased enforcement, current and emerging technologies and rallying the public behind the idea of making it impossible one day for a vehicle to be driven by someone who is drunk.
The call for entries for the 2008 MADD Media Awards will be announced this fall. Stories broadcasted or published between April 1, 2007 and March 31, 2008 are eligible to enter the program.
For more information, visit http://www.madd.org/media-awards
MADD is a 501 (c) (3) charity with approximately 400 offices and 2 million members and supporters nationwide. Founded in 1980, MADD has helped save more than 330,000 lives.
For more information, visit http://www.madd.org/
Source: Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) announced today the 20 winners of its 5th annual national MADD Media Awards program. The 2007 MADD Media Awards, sponsored by Nationwide Insurance and Volkswagen, are in recognition of outstanding media coverage advancing MADD's mission to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking.
"The media plays a vital role in educating the public and raising awareness about the dangers of drunk driving and underage drinking," says Glynn Birch, MADD national president. "This awards program is MADD's way of thanking the media for its support of MADD's mission."
MADD's top honor -- the Award of Excellence -- goes to NBC Today Show for broadcast media and to The Santa Fe New Mexican in Santa Fe, N.M. for print media. NBC Today Show Contributor and Security Specialist Bill Stanton illustrated the effects of drinking and driving at different blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) while under the supervision of state police on a controlled driving track. The Santa Fe New Mexican published a series of stories after five members of a Las Vegas family were killed by a drunk driver going the wrong way on Interstate 25 outside of Santa Fe last November.
The 2007 MADD Media Awards winners are:
-- Award of Excellence -- Broadcast -- NBC Today Show
-- Award of Excellence -- Print -- The Santa Fe New Mexican, Santa Fe, N.M.
-- National Television: Drunk Driving Issues -- Good Morning America Weekend Edition, ABC News
-- National Television: Underage Drinking Issues -- CNN Lou Dobbs Tonight
-- National Television: Special Programming -- The Party Never Stops, Lifetime Television
-- Local Television: Drunk Driving Issues -- KRQE-TV, Albuquerque, N.M.
-- Local Television: Drunk Driving Issues-Series -- WBKO-TV, Bowling Green, Ky.
-- Local Television: Underage Drinking Issues -- WBRC-TV, Birmingham, Ala.
-- Radio: Drunk Driving Issues -- NewsTalk 1530 KFBK, Sacramento, Calif.
-- Radio: Underage Drinking Issues -- MediaTracks Communications, Des Plaines, Ill.
-- Newspaper: Drunk Driving Issues -- The State, Columbia, S.C.
-- Newspaper: Underage Drinking Issues -- The Charlotte Observer, Charlotte, N.C.
-- National Magazine: Drunk Driving Issues -- Wired
-- National Magazine: Underage Drinking Issues -- Teen Vogue
-- Local Magazine: Drunk Driving Issues -- Seattle Magazine
-- Trade Magazine: Underage Drinking Issues -- Scholastic Choices
-- Spanish-Language Media: Broadcast -- Univision 38, Goleta, Calif.
-- Spanish-Language Media: Print -- La Voz de Nuevo Mexico, Santa Fe, N.M.
-- Community Awareness: Programming -- MetroBeat TV, Comcast, Denver Metro Area
-- Community Awareness: Public Service Announcements -- R & R Partners, Salt Lake City, Utah
The 2007 award winners will be honored at a luncheon as part of MADD's National Conference on September 7 in St. Louis, Mo. The MADD Media Awards have been sponsored by Nationwide Insurance for five years and Volkswagen for three years.
"Eliminating drunk driving must start with education," said Bill Windsor, vice president of safety for Nationwide. "Nationwide applauds the media for joining us in this important life saving crusade."
David Geanacopoulos, Director, Industry - Government Relations of Volkswagen of America, Inc. says, "As a proud supporter of MADD, Volkswagen congratulates and thanks this year's Media Award winners for building and sustaining public awareness of the dangers of drunk driving. Your work illuminates the path toward concrete actions that save lives every day."
Each year, more than 13,000 people are killed in drunk driving crashes and half a million others are injured in alcohol-related traffic crashes. In 2006, MADD served more than 41,000 victims/survivors of drunk driving. In 2006, MADD launched its Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving that includes support for increased enforcement, current and emerging technologies and rallying the public behind the idea of making it impossible one day for a vehicle to be driven by someone who is drunk.
The call for entries for the 2008 MADD Media Awards will be announced this fall. Stories broadcasted or published between April 1, 2007 and March 31, 2008 are eligible to enter the program.
For more information, visit http://www.madd.org/media-awards
MADD is a 501 (c) (3) charity with approximately 400 offices and 2 million members and supporters nationwide. Founded in 1980, MADD has helped save more than 330,000 lives.
For more information, visit http://www.madd.org/
Source: Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Summer Is Most Dangerous Time of Year for Unattended Kids in and Around Cars
- First of its Kind Parent Survey Reveals Perceived Risks and Behaviors
- Safety Tips Offered in Both English and Spanish
With the onset of summer, the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety (ACTS) is teaming with XM Satellite Radio, the National WIC Association, local health clinics, automobile dealers, state highway safety offices, as well as others to remind parents to actively supervise their children in and around cars.
Each year hundreds of children suffer injuries or death from vehicles backing out of driveways, being trapped in hot vehicles or in car trunks, being strangled by power windows, in vehicles inadvertently put in motion by children moving the shift lever and similar types of incidents. ACTS is aware of at least 100 of these incidents in the U.S. and Canada this year.
"Active parental and caregiver supervision is the key to saving children's lives and preventing injuries," said ACTS president, Phil Haseltine. "It's important for parents to realize that one out of 10 motor vehicle-related child fatalities occur off the public streets, in places like driveways and parking lots," continued Haseltine. "A common thread in these tragedies is that they almost always involve an unattended or unsupervised child."
ACTS today announced the results of a first of its kind parent survey involving 900 parents of children ages 12 and younger. The survey found that:
-- Most parents perceive the risks to unattended children in and around cars as low.
-- Two thirds of parents thought it unlikely or very unlikely that a child in their neighborhood might die from the heat after being left alone in a car.
-- Less than half (46%) thought it was likely that a child in their neighborhood might be hit by a car backing out of a driveway.
-- 44 percent of parents surveyed have known someone whose child was hit by a car.
-- Nearly 9 out of 10 parents (87%) strongly agreed that parents should do a better job of supervising their children in and around cars.
The survey also showed that most parents are taking the correct actions to protect their children in and around cars:
-- On average, parents normally hold a child's hand in a parking lot until the child is at least 7 1/2 years old.
-- Most parents require their children to be in a safety seat or booster seat until age 6 1/2.
-- Nine out of 10 parents say they have never left a child under five alone in a car.
-- Three out of five parents say the same about a child under 12.
"Our research shows that most parents do a pretty good job of supervising their children," said Haseltine. "But with the onset of summer, kids spend more time outdoors and temperatures rise quickly in enclosed vehicles. Parents and caregivers need to be vigilant and actively supervise children, particularly when they are in or around a motor vehicle."
-- The following tips can help keep children safe in and around motor vehicles:
* Observe - Walk completely around your car before getting in. Know where your children are and teach them to move away from a vehicle when it is started.
* Hold Hands - Most parents hold their child's hand around streets, driveways and parking lots until the child is at least 7 1/2 years old.
* Buckle Up - Set a good example and don't move the car until your children are properly restrained as well.
* Supervise - Nine out of 10 parents say they have never left a child under five alone in a car. But, they agree that children need more supervision.
* Know your choices - New safety technologies can help keep kids safer around cars. Pick the devices that are right for your family and try them before buying to make sure they meet your expectations.
This safety information will be shared with parents across the country through national partnerships with XM Satellite Radio, the National WIC Association, the National Automobile Dealers Association, Safe Kids Worldwide, the Governors Highway Safety Association and locally with Unity Health Care in Washington, DC. These groups, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and others will assist in distributing millions of brochures in English and Spanish. XM Satellite Radio will be airing public service announcements on its 21 Instant Traffic & Weather channels (XM 210-230) and its 24-hour Emergency Alert Channel (XM 247).
Safety tips, a more detailed Parents Report and other information will be available in both English and Spanish on ACTS new dedicated website: http://www.safetyfeature.org/
ACTS is a nonprofit organization that educates the public and policymakers about traffic safety issues, particularly those associated with occupant restraint systems and other vehicle technologies. ACTS develops educational materials, sponsors research and conducts symposia on a variety of highway safety topics. ACTS' members include DaimlerChrysler Corporation; Ford Motor Company; General Motors Corporation; Mazda North American Operations; Nissan North America, Inc.; Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.; Volkswagen of America, Inc. and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, Inc.
Source: Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety
- Safety Tips Offered in Both English and Spanish
With the onset of summer, the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety (ACTS) is teaming with XM Satellite Radio, the National WIC Association, local health clinics, automobile dealers, state highway safety offices, as well as others to remind parents to actively supervise their children in and around cars.
Each year hundreds of children suffer injuries or death from vehicles backing out of driveways, being trapped in hot vehicles or in car trunks, being strangled by power windows, in vehicles inadvertently put in motion by children moving the shift lever and similar types of incidents. ACTS is aware of at least 100 of these incidents in the U.S. and Canada this year.
"Active parental and caregiver supervision is the key to saving children's lives and preventing injuries," said ACTS president, Phil Haseltine. "It's important for parents to realize that one out of 10 motor vehicle-related child fatalities occur off the public streets, in places like driveways and parking lots," continued Haseltine. "A common thread in these tragedies is that they almost always involve an unattended or unsupervised child."
ACTS today announced the results of a first of its kind parent survey involving 900 parents of children ages 12 and younger. The survey found that:
-- Most parents perceive the risks to unattended children in and around cars as low.
-- Two thirds of parents thought it unlikely or very unlikely that a child in their neighborhood might die from the heat after being left alone in a car.
-- Less than half (46%) thought it was likely that a child in their neighborhood might be hit by a car backing out of a driveway.
-- 44 percent of parents surveyed have known someone whose child was hit by a car.
-- Nearly 9 out of 10 parents (87%) strongly agreed that parents should do a better job of supervising their children in and around cars.
The survey also showed that most parents are taking the correct actions to protect their children in and around cars:
-- On average, parents normally hold a child's hand in a parking lot until the child is at least 7 1/2 years old.
-- Most parents require their children to be in a safety seat or booster seat until age 6 1/2.
-- Nine out of 10 parents say they have never left a child under five alone in a car.
-- Three out of five parents say the same about a child under 12.
"Our research shows that most parents do a pretty good job of supervising their children," said Haseltine. "But with the onset of summer, kids spend more time outdoors and temperatures rise quickly in enclosed vehicles. Parents and caregivers need to be vigilant and actively supervise children, particularly when they are in or around a motor vehicle."
-- The following tips can help keep children safe in and around motor vehicles:
* Observe - Walk completely around your car before getting in. Know where your children are and teach them to move away from a vehicle when it is started.
* Hold Hands - Most parents hold their child's hand around streets, driveways and parking lots until the child is at least 7 1/2 years old.
* Buckle Up - Set a good example and don't move the car until your children are properly restrained as well.
* Supervise - Nine out of 10 parents say they have never left a child under five alone in a car. But, they agree that children need more supervision.
* Know your choices - New safety technologies can help keep kids safer around cars. Pick the devices that are right for your family and try them before buying to make sure they meet your expectations.
This safety information will be shared with parents across the country through national partnerships with XM Satellite Radio, the National WIC Association, the National Automobile Dealers Association, Safe Kids Worldwide, the Governors Highway Safety Association and locally with Unity Health Care in Washington, DC. These groups, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and others will assist in distributing millions of brochures in English and Spanish. XM Satellite Radio will be airing public service announcements on its 21 Instant Traffic & Weather channels (XM 210-230) and its 24-hour Emergency Alert Channel (XM 247).
Safety tips, a more detailed Parents Report and other information will be available in both English and Spanish on ACTS new dedicated website: http://www.safetyfeature.org/
ACTS is a nonprofit organization that educates the public and policymakers about traffic safety issues, particularly those associated with occupant restraint systems and other vehicle technologies. ACTS develops educational materials, sponsors research and conducts symposia on a variety of highway safety topics. ACTS' members include DaimlerChrysler Corporation; Ford Motor Company; General Motors Corporation; Mazda North American Operations; Nissan North America, Inc.; Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.; Volkswagen of America, Inc. and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, Inc.
Source: Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety
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