National Child Passenger Safety Week is February 12-18

LOS ANGELES--Feb. 7, 2006--

Britney's Driving Mistake Highlights Safety Rules for Kids in Cars According to the Insurance Information Network of California

Britney Spears may be a pop princess, but she could also be the poster child for National Child Passenger Safety Week says IINC.

The singer, photographed this week driving with her newborn son in her lap, illustrated a grave concern for highway safety experts: parents who fail to properly protect their children in their cars.

"Traffic collisions are the leading cause of death for children ages 2-to-12," said Candysse Miller, executive director of the Insurance Information Network of California. "A baby riding in the front seat is an invitation to tragedy."

All 50 states and the District of Columbia have child restraint laws on the books. In 2004, 1,637 children under age 13 died in traffic collisions nationwide. Of those fatalities, 71 percent were motor vehicle passengers.

National Child Passenger Safety Week is February 12th through 18th, and IINC encourages parents to take 10 minutes to assess their child's safety in the family car.

While newer cars carry improved safety features that have reduced automotive injuries and fatalities, many of these features require special precautions when little ones are aboard. IINC offers the following tips to maximize children's safety:

-- Air Bags - Air bags have saved thousands of lives, but the force of inflation can injure children. Children under age 12 should always be buckled up in the back seat. Some cars also now come equipped with side air bags that cushion backseat passengers against the force of a collision. Before purchasing a car with backseat side air bags, parents should consult the manufacturer to determine whether the air bag design is child-safe.

-- Child Safety Seats - While all 50 states have child restraint laws on the books, too many children still ride unrestrained. In California, babies less than 20 pounds must sit in rear-facing safety seats, while children weighing 20-to-40 pounds should ride in a forward-facing car seat. Parents should follow the manufacturer's car seat installation instructions and have it checked by a professional. Contact your local police department about getting a car seat check-up.

-- Seat Belts - Children who are too big for car seats are usually too small for seat belts. California requires that children up to 5 years old and 60 pounds be placed in booster seats. These allow seat belts to fit properly across children's hips and chests. Children should use booster seats until they can sit with their knees bent at the edge of the seat and their backs comfortably against the seat back. A seat belt fits properly when the lap belt crosses the hips, not the stomach, and the shoulder belt crosses the chest, not the face or neck.

A free brochure on the proper car restraint for your child is available at the IINC Web site at www.iinc.org. Consumers can also learn more by visiting www.iihs.org and www.nhtsa.gov.

IINC is a non-profit, non-lobbying communications organization supported by the property/casualty insurance industry.