Hyundai Motor America Launches the ABCs of Traffic--``Always Be Careful'' ``Back to School'' Traffic Safety Campaign

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WHO:      Hyundai Motor America, Kid Guardian Foundation, Los Angeles
          County Sheriff's Department, Los Angeles Unified School
          District and La Opinion Newspaper

WHAT:     The ABCs of Traffic-- "Always Be Careful" 
          Back-To-School Traffic Safety Program 

WHEN:     Tuesday, September 9, 2003
          11:00 a.m.
          
WHERE:    Los Angeles County Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau
          Media Conference Room
          4700 Ramona Boulevard
          Monterey Park, CA 91754
          (323) 526-5541
                              
WHY:      Each year, tens of thousands of children are killed or
          injured due to motor vehicle related accidents.  Motor
          vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among
          Hispanics ages 1-34.  The second leading cause of death and
          serious injuries to children in California is pedestrian
          accidents and 62 percent of all child pedestrian fatalities
          were Hispanic.  

          Since 1990, the Hispanic population in the United States has
          increased by nearly 60 percent.  As the Hispanic population
          continues to increase, a greater proportion of future crash
          injuries and fatalities will come from the Hispanic
          community.  Hyundai Motor America's Back-To-School Traffic
          Safety Campaign will educate parents and children on the
          proper use of safety belts and child restraints, and promote
          safe driving to help reduce fatalities related to motor
          vehicle and pedestrian accidents.  

Representatives from Hyundai Motor America, Kid Guardian Foundation, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and Los Angeles Unified School District will be available for one-on-one interviews.