For immediate release
November 19, 2002

CONGRESS PASSES BOOSTER SEAT LAW
TO IMPROVE CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY

Legislation enacted in memory of
four-year-old boy killed in car crash

Washington, D.C. - November 19, 2002 - Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates), a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit highway safety advocacy organization, applauded the passage of lifesaving legislation by the U.S. Congress last night. H.R. 5504, or Anton's Law, directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to improve federal standards for child vehicle restraint systems -- another important step in establishing comprehensive vehicle safety for young children.

Current federal safety vehicle standards cover children who weigh 50 pounds or less; Anton's Law is designed to extend the standards to children who weigh over 50 pounds, typically children ages 4 to 8 years old. Child passengers in this bracket are often referred to as "forgotten children," because they have outgrown their child safety seat, but are too small for an adult seat belt to fit properly. Children in this group can suffer serious injuries and possible vehicle ejection as a result of using loose-fitting seat belts designed for adults.

Anton's Law is named after Anton Skeen, a four-year-old boy who was ejected and killed in a car crash in Washington state. As a result of this tragic event, Anton's mother, Autumn Skeen, became a child booster seat pioneer when she succeeded in getting the first state booster seat law passed in Washington in March 2000. "This federal law says that our auto makers, agencies, states and families must bridge the belt-fit gap for vulnerable youngsters in cars. Anton's Law puts this nation on notice that before we lose any more children because their seat belts didn't do the job for them, we must find the ways and means to see they travel as safely as we adults do."

The legislation also instructs NHTSA to require auto manufacturers to begin installing lap/shoulder belts in the center rear seat by 2005. By 2008, all new passenger vehicles will be required to have the rear seat equipped with a lap/shoulder belt system. Currently, most new passenger vehicles are not manufactured with center lap/shoulder belts in the rear seats.

Additionally, NHTSA will be required to evaluate injury criteria for children over 50 pounds; to look at how to improve seat belt fit for children over 50 pounds in booster seats; and to assess the options for young children whose only restraint in the back seats are lap belts. The legislation also calls on NHTSA to develop a 10-year-old child test dummy, and to study the benefits of built-in child safety seats and booster seats.

"The passage of Anton's Law is not only another significant step in saving the lives of young children, but also an indication that Congress is willing to take action that will help safety advocates, manufacturers, and government agencies close dangerous loopholes and further protect families," said Judith Lee Stone, President of Advocates. "I commend Senator Fitzgerald (R-IL), Representative Shimkus (R-IL), and Representative Walden (R-OR), and the Democratic and Republican leaders of House and Senate Commerce committees for making enactment of this bill a priority."

Joan Claybrook, President of Public Citizen and former NHTSA Administrator, said, "It's time Congress recognized the need for more comprehensive booster seat and child restraint standards. I am especially pleased to see that NHTSA will study the value of built-in booster seats. Built-in seats will greatly facilitate and encourage use and result in better protection for young children."
"Our research shows children in this age group should be in booster seats - we are very pleased to see that NHTSA will be moving forward to address this unmet need," added Herman Brandau, Associate General Counsel, State Farm Insurance Companies.

"Passage of Anton's Law is a testament to the commitment of insurance companies, consumer groups, and safety advocates working together to bring about important changes in the way we protect our youngest passengers and their families. We applaud Congressional action on this important legislation," stated Chuck Bruse, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, Allstate Insurance Company.

"The price for Anton's Law has been too high for our family, but we are amazed and grateful that this nation is finally taking the issue of youth passenger protections more seriously. Most of all, we are in awe of the hard work on the part of members of Congress, safety advocates, experts, and volunteers who stood up for the voiceless young and fought for this bill in memory of our son and so many others we have failed in the past. We hope the Act's provisions will serve as a sunny beacon to the country, just as our son was to us," added Autumn Skeen.

Public Citizen, State Farm Insurance Companies, and Allstate Insurance Company are members of Advocates' Board of Directors. Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety is an alliance of consumer, health, law enforcement and safety groups and insurance companies and agents working together to make America's roads safer. Founded in 1989, Advocates encourages the adoption of federal and state laws, policies and programs that save lives and reduce injuries. Please visit Advocates' Web site at www.saferoads.org.


Contact: Jen Maly
(202) 408-1711 x 12