Six
Car-makers Faulted for Child Safety Seats
Feds Cite Failure to Educate Public
March 13, 2000
ATLANTA (AP) -- The chairman
of the National Transportation Safety Board criticized six automakers today
for failing to establish programs to make sure children are properly secured
in car safety seats. Chairman Jim Hall scolded Volvo, Mitsubishi, Kia, Subaru,
Suzuki and Isuzu in a speech at a national highway safety meeting in Atlanta.
He said the companies refused
to set up "fitting stations," where parents could get advice on installing the
seats. Government studies have shown that eight of 10 safety seats are installed
incorrectly.
"I believe that all these
car companies are run by responsible adults, and if they get the message effectively
-- and maybe it needs to be repeated -- they will take the steps necessary to
address the No. 1 health problem for kids," Hall said.
Correct
installation reduces injuries
Transportation officials
say properly used child seats cut the risk of fatal injuries in half. Common
mistakes include using the wrong-size seat. Volvo spokesman Soren Johansson
said he was not sure the NTSB had even approached his company about a child-safety
program. "Child safety has been on the agenda with us for years," Johansson
said.
Representatives of the five
other companies did not return calls for comment today.
Hall praised DaimlerChrysler
and General Motors for their child-safety programs.