A joint resolution to designate June 18, 1984, as "National Child Passenger Safety Awareness Day".
PL 98-319 (S.J.Res.289), enacted 06/18/1984

98 STAT. 246 
PUBLIC LAW 98-319—JUNE 18, 1984 
Public Law 98-319 
98th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
June 18, 1984 
TO designate June 18,1984, as "National Child Passenger Safety Awareness Day". 
[S.J. Res. 289] 
Whereas motor vehicle collisions are the primary cause of death of 
children over the age of six months in the United States; 
Whereas motor vehicle collisions are the primary cause of the 
crippling of children in the United States; 
Whereas more children under the age of five years are killed or 
crippled as passengers involved in motor vehicle collisions than 
the total number of children killed or crippled by the seven most 
common childhood diseases: pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, 
measles, mumps, rubella, and polio; 
Whereas motor vehicle collisions are the leading trauma related 
cause of spinal cord injuries, epilepsy, and mental retardation in 
the United States; 
Whereas during the years 1978 through 1982 nearly three thousand 
and four hundred children under the age of five years were killed 
in traffic collisions, and more than two hundred and fifty thou-
sand children were injured in the United States; 
Whereas an unrestrained child is less protected by padding and 
energy-absorbing materials than an adult in a motor vehicle 
collision, because protective devices are placed in areas more 
likely to benefit adults; 
Whereas unrestrained children are subject to a significantly higher 
risk of serious head, spine, chest and abdominal injury in motor 
vehicle collisions than older passengers because the bodies of 
children are less developed and provide less protection; 
Whereas an unrestrained child in a motor vehicle collision faces an 
increased danger of fatal or serious injury from ejection as well as 
injuries resulting from contact with the vehicle interior; 
Whereas an unrestrained child in a motor vehicle not involved in a 
collision may be killed or injured as a result of sudden stops, 
turns, swerves, or from the unrestrained child falling from a 
moving vehicle; 
Whereas forty-two States and the District of Columbia have enacted 
laws mandating the use of child safety restraint systems; 
Whereas only 40 percent of children under the age of five are 
protected by child safety seats in the United States and 
national surveys show that over 70 percent of such seats are used 
incorrectly; 
m .eoi\ ,t,& 
PUBLIC LAW 98-319—JUNE 18, 1984 
98 STAT. 247 
Whereas research has shown that the proper use of child restraints 
is 90 percent effective in preventing death and 67 percent effective 
in preventing injury; 
Whereas death and injuries may be reduced significantly through 
greater public awareness, information, and education: Now, there-
fore, be it 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That June 18, 1984 is 
designated as "National Child Passenger Safety Awareness Day" 
and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclama-
tion calling upon the people of the United States to observe that day 
with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities. 
Approved June 18, 1984. 
i > » W ::M\J 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 289: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 130 (1984): 
May 22, considered and passed Senate. 
June 6, considered and passed House.