AAA Child Car Seat Inspection Data Provides Insight on Effectiveness of New Latch System

WHAT:AAA will release information from a first-of-its-kind database with observational information from more than 10,000 child car seat inspections from January 2002 to August 2005. New data will reveal: Do cars and seats required to be equipped with the Lower Anchor Tethers for Children (LATCH) system result in fewer installation mistakes? What are the five most common mistakes parents make when installing child car seats? AAA created this "Safety Seat Database" to provide real-world statistical information about child passenger seat use across the country. Certified child passenger safety technicians enter data they compile at seat check events and during safety seat inspections they perform routinely for motorists. WHY: Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death and injury to young children, killing more kids each year than any type of injury or disease. According to government statistics, in 2003 motor vehicle crashes killed over 2,000 child occupants, and injured more than 250,000 others. A properly installed child seat is one of the best things a parent can do to help their child avoid injury while traveling in a motor vehicle. WHEN: November 2, 2005 6:00 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) WHERE: www.aaa.com/news