Press Release

Survey Says Drivers Don't Know Child Auto Safety Guidelines

08/30/96

Poll Shows Drivers Need Education on Latest Child Auto Safety Guidelines


CHICAGO, Aug. 28 -- Many drivers don't know or don't
follow the advice of safety experts that children are safest riding in
the backseat of motor vehicles, according to a new national
survey. The survey of 500 adults was conducted in June and July on
behalf of Morton International, an airbag manufacturer, to determine
driver awareness of child auto safety precautions.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children from
five to 15 years of age. While airbags are lifesaving devices that
adults in the survey indicated they want, many were unaware of the
special precautions that should be taken when driving with children in
airbag-equipped vehicles. Children risk injury if they are unbelted,
improperly belted, or otherwise too close to the dashboard when an
airbag inflates. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) estimates that as of July 1, 1996, approximately 21.6 million
passenger cars and light trucks in the United States have
passenger-side airbags. All new cars will be required to have
passenger-side airbags beginning in model year 1998.

"This research shows drivers need to know a few simple but important
steps that can help prevent injuries to children riding in motor
vehicles," said S. Jay Stewart, chairman and CEO, Morton
International. "In response to these findings, we are launching a
public education campaign to spread the important safety message of
'Always Buckle Children in the Backseat.'"

Morton has provided a grant to Optimist International, a service
organization with more than 160,000 members and 4,000 chapters, to
support their efforts to communicate this safety message in local
communities.  "Our organization's motto is 'Friend of Youth.' What
better way to serve youth than to help keep them safe," said Stephen
P. Lawson, executive director, Optimist International.

Key findings of the national survey include:

* Drivers need to be informed and reminded that children are safest
riding in the backseat. A majority of drivers surveyed (61%) think
that children age six or younger are large enough to ride in the front
passenger seat.

* Approximately 86% of drivers surveyed sometimes place children age
five to 11 in the front seat and two thirds (68%) transport children
in this age range in the front seat at least twice a week.

* More than one in ten drivers (12%) incorrectly believes it is safe
for infants in rear-facing child safety seats to ride in the front of
a vehicle equipped with a passenger-side airbag. On the contrary,
there is a high risk of danger to the child riding in this position
should the airbag deploy in a collision. One in six drivers (15%)
surveyed usually place the infant seat in the front passenger seat
facing backward.

* More than one in five drivers (22%) of children age one to four do
not use a child safety seat to transport a child that age, most
frequently because they consider the child to be too big and the seat
unnecessary.

* Approximately two out of five people surveyed (41%) are not aware
that airbags can cause serious injuries or fatalities to unrestrained
or improperly restrained infants and children.

In addition to the national survey, Morton commissioned eight focus
groups in San Jose, CA; Boston, MA; Memphis, TN; and Chicago, IL to
determine drivers' awareness of the child safety issues. The slogan
and logo "Always Buckle Children in the Backseat" was developed based
on this information, and tested with more than 150 people in San
Antonio, TX; Columbus, OH; and Los Angeles, CA.

A brochure and vehicle window sticker will be used to communicate the
basic safety messages:

* Buckle up every child in the vehicle properly -- and buckle up
yourself too.

* Whenever possible, put children in the backseat of the vehicle.

* Always secure rear-facing infant seats in the backseat.

The American Car Rental Association, representing most major car
rental companies, will play an important role in supporting this
campaign and will share this safety message with car rental customers
nationwide.  Chrysler Corporation has also provided funding to aid in
the distribution of materials.

The American Medical Association; Emergency Nurses Association;
Emergency Nurses CARE; the International Association of Chiefs of
Police; the Grand Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police; the National
Safety Council; and the National Association of Governors' Highway
Safety Representatives will assist in the program by distributing
these materials to their members and the driving public.

Morton is also a member of the National Automotive Occupant Protection
Campaign which is launching a nationwide public education campaign on
auto safety.

Morton International is a Chicago-based manufacturer and marketer of
specialty chemicals, automotive inflatable restraint systems and salt.