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Nationwide Stands Behind National Crackdown on Drivers Who Don't Buckle Up Children

22 May 2000

Nationwide Stands Behind National Crackdown on Drivers Who Don't Buckle Up Children
    COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 22 Nationwide Insurance today
announced its strong support of a national mobilization to protect children by
stepping up enforcement of child passenger safety laws during the upcoming
Memorial Day holiday.  Approximately 8,000 law enforcement agencies across the
nation are conducting the sixth wave of the Operation ABC Mobilization:
America Buckles Up Children -- the largest ever coordinated crackdown on
drivers who don't buckle up children.
    Throughout the week of May 22-29, 2000, law enforcement agencies in all 50
states will conduct saturation patrols, checkpoints and increased patrolling
aimed at stopping and ticketing drivers who allow children to ride unbuckled.
    "Tens of thousands of law enforcement officers in all 50 states will be
out in force protecting children from the greatest danger they face -- being
unrestrained in a crash," said Tim Hoyt, Nationwide vice president of safety.
"As America's fifth largest auto insurer, Nationwide has a strong commitment
to traffic safety, and has been behind this program since its inception."
    During the national mobilization campaign, citizens who see an unbuckled
child in a vehicle can dial 1-800-764-5755 and leave a message about the
vehicle, or they can leave the name and address of an individual who routinely
allows their child passengers to ride unbuckled.  The National Safety Council
will send a letter reminding that it's extremely dangerous for a child to ride
unbuckled, and that all 50 states have laws requiring children be properly
restrained.
    According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
traffic crashes remain the number one killer of children ages 5 to 15.
Statistics show that 60 percent of the kids killed in crashes are
unrestrained.  Half of those who die unbuckled in crashes would be alive today
if the driver had made sure they were restrained.
    "High-visibility enforcement works," said Hoyt.  "That's why Nationwide
gives its official Endorsement for Enforcement.  We hope officers can expand
the Mobilization's success and save lives with a clear message to America:
the law requires that children be buckled up at all times."
    Nationwide has supported Operation ABC Mobilization since it started in
1996.  The Air Bag & Seat Belt Safety Campaign, in partnership with law
enforcement and state highway safety offices, NHTSA and the National
Transportation Safety Board sponsor the mobilization.
    Continuing its commitment to child passenger safety awareness, Nationwide
donated 480 child safety seats in April to the National Latino Children's
Institute, which aims to promote child passenger safety awareness within in
the Hispanic community.  Nationwide is one of the country's largest multi-line
insurers and financial service organizations.