CHP, 21st Century Insurance and Exposition Park Conclude National Child Passenger Safety Week with Child Safety Seat Inspection Fair

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif.--As part of a statewide partnership to reduce the leading cause of fatalities among children, the California Highway Patrol, 21st Century Insurance and Exposition Park will hold a child safety seat inspection at Exposition Park on Saturday, Feb. 17, the final day of National Child Passenger Safety Week.

California law states that all children must be secured in a child passenger restraint – a child safety or booster seat -- and must be secured in the back seat of a vehicle until they are either 6 years old or 60 pounds.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicles crashes are the leading cause of death for children under age 15. More than 50 percent of the deaths occurred as a result of children riding in the motor vehicle completely unrestrained.

The NHTSA also estimates that 80 percent of children are riding in child safety restraints that are improperly installed.

To help reduce preventable injuries and deaths, CHP, 21st Century Insurance and Exposition Park will sponsor a child safety seat fair Feb. 17, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., in Parking Lot 2 of Exposition Park, located across from the Swim Stadium.

Specially trained CHP officers will inspect and, if necessary, replace and install a new child safety seat donated by 21st. Children must accompany vehicles for proper child safety seat fitting and will be helped on a first come, first served basis.

“Wearing your seat belt and making sure your children are properly buckled up is the best insurance against being killed or seriously injured in many vehicle crashes,” said CHP Commissioner Mike Brown.

Actor Erik Estrada, best known for his role on the hit TV show “CHiPs,” will join fair participants this Saturday to spread the word on child safety seat use.

“I urge all parents to have their child’s safety seat inspected. Just a few minutes could save a life,” Estrada said.

Federal statistics show a critical need for education regarding booster seat use:

• According to recent data from NHTSA, at least 80 percent of children who should ride in booster seats currently do not.
• NHTSA recommends that children who weigh more than 40 pounds or who have outgrown their 5-point harness system should be placed in a booster seat.
• Using a booster seat allows the seat belt to be positioned across the child where it is most effective and lowers the risk of injury to children in crashes by 59 percent.

Since 21st premiered its safety initiative in California six years ago, more than 10,000 child safety seats have been inspected; 21st has donated more than 8,000 new child safety seats; and more than 3,500 broken, recalled or non-age-appropriate seats have been destroyed.

To help inform the public, the CHP and 21st have created “Child Safety Seats: A Parent’s Guide” to explain proper seat installation and use. The guide, available in English or Spanish, and a listing of upcoming child safety seat inspections can be obtained at the safety fairs as well as directly from 21st by contacting the company’s corporate headquarters at 1-800-211-SAVE or visiting its Web site, www.21st.com.

About 21st: Drivers Just Like You

Founded in 1958, 21st Century Insurance Group is a direct-to-consumer provider of personal auto insurance. With $1.4 billion of revenue in 2005, the Company insures over 1.5 million vehicles in 17 states including California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey and Texas.

21st provides superior policy features and 24/7 customer service at a competitive price. Customers can purchase insurance, service their policy or report a claim at www.21st.com or on the phone with our licensed insurance professionals at 1-800-211-SAVE, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Service is offered in English and Spanish, both on the phone and on the web. 21st Century Insurance Company, 21st Century Casualty Company, and 21st Century Insurance Company of the Southwest are rated A+ by A. M. Best, Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor’s.

21st Century Insurance Group is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “TW” and is headquartered at 21st Century Plaza, 6301 Owensmouth Avenue, Woodland Hills, CA 91367.