Educating Parents is Top Priority At Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach

19 April 1999

Educating Parents is Top Priority At Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach; Child Passenger Safety Information to be Distributed During Race Weekend

    LONG BEACH, Calif.--April 16, 1999--Safety always comes first for Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART).
    During the upcoming Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, CART will be driving the safety message home by teaming up with King Taco to distribute copies of Buying a Safer Car for Child Passengers, a safety guide written by the experts at the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
    These free brochures will be available at all King Taco food stands located throughout the pit, paddock and midway areas at this weekend's race.
    In 1997 in California, 73 children were killed and more than 3,000 children under the age of 12 were injured from not using seat belts or child passenger seats.
    "The Buying a Safer Car for Child Passengers brochure is important because it provides consumers with crucial safety information before buying a new vehicle," says NHTSA Administrator Ricardo Martinez, M.D. "With this information, parents and care givers can make smarter, safer choices about the vehicles they purchase and the safety features they look for."
    Buying a Safer Car for Child Passengers includes information on the latest vehicle safety features and designs specific to child passengers. It also includes safety tips, information from the Federal government and a "Family Car Checklist" to take along when you shop for your next vehicle.
    Championship Auto Racing Teams Inc. (CART) is the leading open-wheel motor sports organization that owns, operates and sanctions the FedEx Championship Series, which is comprised of 20 races in five countries, on four continents in 1999.
    The brochure is also available to consumers by calling 888/DASH-2-DOT or through local AAA clubs or visit NHTSA's Web site at www.nhtsa.dot.gov.