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Kids Across the Country 'Do the Buckle'

25 May 1999

Kids Across the Country 'Do the Buckle' During 'Operation ABC Mobilization: America Buckles Up Children!' Week

           Daimlerchrysler's 'Do the Buckle' Safety Tour Encourages
               Safe Driving During Memorial Day Holiday Weekend

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 24 -- DaimlerChrysler's "Do the
Buckle" safety tour will visit communities across America in support of
Operation ABC Mobilization: America Buckles Up Children week (May 24-31,
1999).  The mobilization is dedicated to educating Americans about the
importance of buckling up children and traveling safely during the Memorial
Day holiday weekend.
    (Video:  http://www.videonewswire.com/play?video=1998090201 )
    According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 500 traffic fatalities
occur every year during the Memorial Day Weekend.  Failure to wear a safety
belt is a principal factor in many of these traffic fatalities.  Safety belts
increase the chance of surviving a crash by nearly 45 percent, yet sadly, more
than 80 million Americans do not use safety belts.
    Failure to properly restrain children is also a common cause of death and
injury.  Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death to children
(0-15 years).  Each year, six out of 10 children who die in crashes are
unbelted.
    "We know that adults who don't use safety belts send children a very
deadly message," said Sue Cischke, DaimlerChrysler Vice President Vehicle
Safety and Regulatory Compliance.  "When a driver is unbuckled, children are
restrained only 24 percent of the time.  We're traveling to communities across
America to stress that failure to properly restrain a child is nothing short
of child neglect."
    The "Do the Buckle" safety teams will visit schools and daycare centers in
New Jersey, South Carolina and California this week, demonstrating the
importance of properly restraining children in a vehicle through an
interactive display, hands-on exhibits and an MTV style music video.
    The safety tour, featuring a fleet of Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth
minivans strives to teach kids that it's "cool" to "Do the Buckle" through the
program's theme song and music video.  The tune and lyrics play off the '70s
hit "Do the Hustle," and the dance in the video incorporates the motion a
person makes when they buckle a safety belt.  The video also features an
introduction by Bill Nye, the star of the weekly Disney production, "Bill Nye
the Science Guy," and DaimlerChrysler Chairman Robert J. Eaton.
    According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
an estimated 5,500 lives could be saved each year by increasing the level of
safety belt use in the United States to 90 percent.  Yet, only 70 percent of
Americans wear safety belts.  By contrast, Germany's safety belt use stands at
an estimated 95 percent, Canada is at 92 percent and Australia is at 99
percent.  NHTSA has also proven that child safety seats, properly installed,
reduce the risk of death by 69 percent for infants and 47 percent for
toddlers.
    "As an industry, both manufacturers and suppliers strive to build safe
vehicles, but there's a shared responsibility for traveling safely in motor
vehicles; wearing a safety belt and properly restraining children are the most
important proactive measures a parent, child, or passenger can take to save
their life," said Cischke.
    "Do the Buckle" supports President Clinton's plan to increase safety belt
use to 90 percent by 2005 and is the second phase of DaimlerChrysler's
successful consumer education outreach.
    DaimlerChrysler minivans were the first in the market with passenger air
bags, winning numerous national safety awards from consumer groups recognizing
its commitment to safety.  To date, NHTSA estimates that almost 4,000 lives
have been saved by air bags.
    DaimlerChrysler minivans were also the first to offer integrated, or
built-in, child safety seats.  Invented in 1991, DaimlerChrysler modeled this
restraint design after a five-point safety harness system -- the same type
found in racecars.  These simple and easy to use child restraints are designed
for children who are older than one year, weigh between 22 -- 50 pounds, and
are less than 47 inches in height.
    A number of safety-minded companies are supporting the campaign, including
safety belt manufacturer Takata Inc., Continental Teves, a manufacturer of
antilock brake systems, and air bag manufacturer Autoliv.
    If you would like to learn more about "Do the Buckle" or would like a
minivan to visit a particular venue, call 1-877-TOBUCKY.