Toyota Campaign Aims to Cut Black And Hispanic Kids Death with Strap-Up Program

Every year, thousands of children are tragically injured or killed in motor vehicle crashes.  In fact, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in the United States for children between the ages of 1 and 12. Many of these deaths are preventable with the proper use of seat belts, child safety seats, and booster seats.  Research shows that car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for children younger than 1 and by 54 percent for children 1 to 4 years old.

Unfortunately, studies also show that Hispanic and African American children are significantly less likely than other children to be buckled up in seat belts or car seats, and are more likely to die in a motor vehicle crash.  For example:

• African American children are 50 percent less likely to be buckled up than Caucasian children;
• African American children 5 to 9 years old are three times more likely to die in car crashes than Caucasian children;

• Hispanic children are three times less likely to use child restraints and three times less likely to ride in the backseat of a vehicle; and
• Hispanic children 5 to 12 years old have a 72 percent higher death rate from motor vehicle crashes than their Caucasian counterparts.

This week, we join the Department of Transportation and communities throughout the United States in celebrating Child Passenger Safety Week and National Seat Check Saturday.  We also recognize and encourage efforts to increase proper use of car seats and seat belts in the African American and Hispanic communities, including the Buckle Up for Life program developed by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in partnership with Toyota.  Buckle Up for Life is a national community-based injury prevention initiative developed by pediatric trauma surgeons and injury-prevention coordinators to raise awareness and increase the use of motor vehicle child restraints among members of the African American and Hispanic communities.

Together, we can help reduce child injuries and fatalities in motor vehicle crashes.  We ask you to join us in celebrating Child Passenger Safety Week and National Seat Check Saturday.