Therefore, the Campaign will also target its outreach to groups that are more likely to buy used cars and less likely to wear seat belts, typically people with lower incomes, younger drivers and minorities. People who are buying air bag equipped vehicles for the first time may not have tuned in to the information about air bags. One of our first ideas is to integrate the air bag safety message in the transfer of titles and license renewals, which will then reach all purchasers of used cars. Michelle Hammond, whose son Justin was three when he was severely injured from the impact of an air bag while riding unrestrained in the front seat during a crash, appeared on videotape to tell parents to never give in to their kids' pleas to ride in front. I want to spare other families the anguish we've suffered by cautioning parents to properly restrain their child in a back seat on every ride.
Crashes are the leading cause of death to children.
Even in vehicles without air bags, the death rate to children drops by one third when kids ride properly restrained in the back seat. The Campaign also noted that awareness of the need for drivers to sit back away from the air bag has also dropped. The goal of the Campaign is to increase the proper use of safety belts and child safety seats and to inform the public about how to maximize the lifesaving capabilities of air bags while minimizing the risks.