Since 2002, 21st Century, the CHP and Erik Estrada conducted an extensive public service campaign to promote knowledge and compliance with California's child safety seat law. That law requires a child passenger restraint (child safety seat or booster seat) to be used on all children until they are at least 6 years old or 60 pounds. At safety fairs conducted in under-served communities throughout California, CHP officers will inspect and, if necessary, replace and install a new car seat donated by 21st Century.
"Recent national statistics show that over 80% of children in vehicles are unrestrained or buckled up incorrectly," stated CHP Commissioner D.O. "Spike" Helmick. "A child safety seat, properly installed, can make the difference between a safe, healthy child and one that's injured or killed," added Helmick.
In the last two years, the CHP has conducted over 1,600 inspections, removed and destroyed over 800 hazardous seats, and 21st Century has donated over 1,000 new seats to California families. In 2004, eight more safety seat fairs will be conducted.
In addition to 21st Century's safety efforts with the Highway Patrol, the insurer will debut its 2004 Crash Test Ratings Guide at the Auto Show. The guide compiles crash test data from the Insurance Information Institute for 2004 autos, vans, and SUVs and recommends the "Best Pick" for safety conscious consumers in each category of vehicle based on the crash test results. Also available to Auto Show patrons will be The Free Guides of 21st, which will feature highlights from the 2004 Crash Test Ratings Guide, the Child Safety Seat Parent's Guide.
For more information regarding the proper installation of child safety seats, each of the CHP's 99 area offices has designated one day a week when the public can schedule an appointment to have child safety seats inspected and get instruction and assistance with proper seat installation. A list of office locations and telephone numbers is available in the telephone directory or on the CHP web site at http:// www.chp.ca.gov.
