This week is National Child Passenger Safety Week
Washington – Today, the Trucking Cares Foundation and the Tennessee Trucking Foundation each donated $5,000 to help purchase car seats for parents and guardians in Tennessee who are unable to afford them.
“In the event of an accident, a properly fitted car seat provides the maximum amount of protection for young children,” said John Lynch, president of the Trucking Cares Foundation. “We are pleased to support this effort to equip more Tennessee families with new car seats to keep their most precious cargo safe. This donation aligns with the Trucking Cares Foundation’s objective to harness the power of the ATA Federation to help others while also promoting highway safety.”
In 2021, 710 children were killed in passenger vehicles, and more than 100,000 were injured. More than a third of the children who died were unrestrained.
This week, September 17 – 23, is National Child Passenger Safety Week. The annual event raises awareness about the importance of ensuring that all children are properly secured in an appropriate car seat or seatbelt. The week culminates with National Seat Check Saturday.
Some of the car seats purchased by TCF and TTF will be given away to eligible families on Saturday, September 30th, from 10AM to 2PM at Westwood Baptist Church (4001 Georgetown Road) in Cleveland, Tennessee.
The giveaway is being done in partnership with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office on Child Passenger Safety. There will be several technicians on site from the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services to assist with car seat checks. TTF will have their no-zone tractor trailer at the event, and there will also be tours of a police car and fire truck, free pumpkins and face painting, food, and family activities.
This event is connected with “The 24/7 Movement” that focuses on helping “reduce and prevent impaired driving and to keep drivers and passengers safe on Tennessee’s roads.” The remaining car seats will go to fitting stations across Tennessee to assist with child passenger safety checks in those areas.