Whereas, Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of unintentional injury related deaths among children ages 14 and under; and,
Whereas, More than 82 percent of child car seats are being misused according to current safety recommendations; and,
Whereas, Children unrestrained in a vehicle are three times more likely to suffer a serious injury compared to restrained children; and,
Whereas, 83 percent of children between the ages of four and eight years are inappropriately restrained in adult seat belts instead of belt-positioning booster seats; and,
Whereas, It is the law in Michigan that children under four years-old use a child safety seat, and 28 other states require the use of a booster seat; and,
Whereas, Child Passenger Safety Week provides an excellent opportunity for citizens to learn the importance and manner in which to protect their children while riding in a motor vehicle; and now therefore be it,
Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim the week of February 13, 2005, as Child Passenger Safety Week in Michigan and I encourage all citizens to join in the efforts to ensure all children travel safely in vehicles.