February 5, 2004

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided Michigan with $214,500 to implement and evaluate community-based interventions to reduce motor vehicle-related injuries, Michigan Department of Community Health Director Janet Olszewski announced today.

The announcement of the grant comes at an opportune time, as Michigan – and the rest of the nation – commemorate Child Passenger Safety Week, which begins on February 8.

Michigan and Colorado are the only two states receiving CDC funding for this type of program. The Michigan Department of Community Health will implement and evaluate interventions aimed at increasing booster seat use among children 4 to 8 years of age.

“Recognized for their experience with community-based research, our MDCH program staff will gather information about booster seat use and apply what they learn to tailor programs for individual communities,” Olszewski said.

Motor vehicle crashes are the No. 1 killer of children ages 2 to 14. In 2002, 329 children age 4 through 7 and 1,209 children age 8 through 15 were killed in crashes while traveling in a vehicle. That same year, 58,000 four to seven-year-olds and 160,000 eight to 15 year-olds were injured in crashes while traveling in a vehicle.

A statewide Child Passenger Safety Coalition has been convened to review baseline data and make recommendations for developing and implementing a campaign to increase booster seat use in the state.

The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute will conduct a booster seat observation study to determine current statewide use rates and conduct surveys of parents to determine attitudes, knowledge and barriers to booster seat use.

“Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for Americans ages 1 to 34 years,” said Sue Binder, M.D., Director of CDC’s Injury Center. “This program will help address this problem in Michigan, and the evaluation will be useful to other states and communities that are facing similar challenges.”

Many people falsely believe that children who have outgrown child safety seats should only use safety belts. Safety belts, which are designed for adults, do not fully restrain many children in a crash. Children need booster seats, which raises the child up so the safety belt fits—and protects—them.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends booster seats for children from about age 4 and 40 pounds to at least age 8, unless the child is 4 -feet-9-inches tall.

NHTSA estimates that booster seats are used by 10 to 20 percent of the children who should be in them. So during Child Passenger Safety Week, which runs Feb. 8-14, 2004, NHTSA and the Ad Council are launching an unprecedented nationwide television, radio and print ad campaign to raise awareness about booster seats. 

During statewide CPS Week, several free car seat check-up events are available throughout the state. No appointments are necessary. Details about the events are as follows:

Alpena - February 10th, 2004 from 5 to 7 p.m. Alpena County Fairground, Merchant's Building, 603 South Eleventh Ave. Info: Sienna Suszek, 989-354-9870 Sponsored by Huron County SAFE KIDS Chapter

Clinton Township – February 7th, 2004 from 12 to 4 p.m. Collex Collision, 44700 Enterprise Drive Info: Jenna Bubka, 586-741-4095 Sponsored by Macomb County SAFE KIDS Chapter Hartford, February 11th, 2004 from 2 to 4 p.m.

VanBuren County Health Department, 57418 CR 681 Info: Emily Diederich, 269-621-3143 ext. 362 Sponsored by Van Buren County SAFE KIDS Chapter

Flushing – February 14th, 2004 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Prestige Chevrolet, 1415 E. Pierson Road Info: Lew Moquin, 810-762-7064 Sponsored by Greater Flint SAFE KIDS Coalition

Muskegon - February 10th, 2004 from 4 to 6 p.m. Muskegon Heights Fire Department, 2700 Peck St. Info: Holly Always, 231-739-4910 Sponsored by Muskegon County SAFE KIDS Chapter

Portage - February 7th, 2004 from 12 to 4 p.m. Cole Gilmore Pontiac, Cadillac, Nissan, 6600 S. Westnedge Info: Deb Carpenter, 269-341-8830 Sponsored by: Kalamazoo SAFE KIDS Coalition

Sandusky – February 14th, 2004 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Graff Chevrolet, Buick, Oldsmobile, 495 W. Sanilac (M-46) Info: Officer Matt Gezequel, 810-648-4016 Sponsored by: Thumb Area SAFE KIDS Chapter