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Save A Life This Holiday Weekend: Buckle Up

29 June 1999

For Immediate Release
June 28, 1999
Contact: Jennifer Koehn (630-775-2307)

SAVE A LIFE THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND: BUCKLE UP

ITASCA, ILL. -- The National Safety Council estimates that 352 people involved 
in serious motor vehicle crashes will live this Independence Day weekend because
they wore their safety belts. Unfortunately, our estimates also show that 503 
deaths will occur over the holiday," said Jerry Scannell, president of the
Council, "The tragedy is that if everyone buckled up, we could save another 139
lives."  Scannell explained that if everyone wears their safety belt, people who
survive life-threatening crashes would outnumber those that perish. The Council 
also estimates 26,700 people will suffer disabling injuries from car crashes 
over the holiday weekend. "We*ve made great strides in the effort to get
motorists to buckle up," said Scannell. "Safety belts are proven lifesavers, yet
only 70 percent of drivers and passengers wear them." The 30 percent of 
motorists who don*t buckle up tend to be high-risk drivers who are twice as 
likely to be involved in fatal crashes.  The United States has one of the lowest
safety-belt usage rates when compared to other developed countries. For example,
the safety-belt usage rate in Canada is 93 percent and in Australia it*s 99
percent. Both countries have strong safety belt laws that are heavily enforced.
The National Safety Council recommends that motorists make sure that everyone is
properly buckled for every single trip this holiday weekend. In addition to 
wearing a safety belt, the Council urges motorists to:

-- Make sure children are properly fastened in belts or child safety seats in 
   the back seat every single time they ride in a car. Although it*s the law in
   all 50 states that children cannot ride unbuckled, six out of ten children 
   killed in crashes are not restrained. Remember, children ages 12 and under 
   should always ride in the back seat, especially in vehicles with air bags. 

-- Don*t drink and drive. More than half of all fatal vehicle crashes last 
   Fourth of July weekend involved alcohol. If you know you will be drinking 
   alcohol, use a designated driver or public transportation.

--* Allow enough travel time for frequent breaks on longer trips. Drowsy drivers
    are an increasing problem in our fast-paced society. Remember, drowsiness 
    can reduce reaction time almost as much as drinking.

This year*s Fourth of July holiday weekend officially begins at 6 p.m., Friday, 
July 2, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, July 5.

The National Safety Council is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to 
protecting life and promoting health. For more information about driving safety,
check the Council*s web site at www.nsc.org.

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