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Leni Kirkman, Julie Wiley (210) 358-2335 or (Pager) 203-3300

It takes more than doctors and nurses to save kids’ lives
-State officials & area businesses named Child Passenger Champions -

BACKGROUND: This time last year, Texas was one of just seven states in the nation to be without a booster seat law. Today, thanks to the efforts of State Senator Judith Zaffirini and other members of the Bexar County Legislative Delegation, Texas has one of the strongest laws and thousands of young children are riding safer. The new booster seat law took effect September 1, 2009 and it requires motor vehicle passengers, who are younger than 8 years and shorter than 4 feet 9 inches, to be restrained in booster seats.

Seat belts are not designed for small children and, in a crash, they can cause choking and serious abdominal injuries. Using a booster seat enables the seat belt to fit appropriately across the child’s shoulders and hips. University Health System’s Level I trauma center provides care to hundreds of children every year who are seriously injured in motor vehicle crashes. Sadly, many of these injuries could be reduced, even prevented, if children were properly restrained in child safety or booster seats. The new legislation is important, but it’s not enough. Thanks to the support and generosity of the USAA Foundation and other committed local partners, needy families are able to receive free child passenger safety seats for their children and learn how to properly install them in their vehicles.

University Health System will recognize these champions for child passenger safety at an awards luncheon on Tuesday, September 8, 2009.

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