Monday, February 5, 2007

Free bilingual child passenger safety seat seminar February 13

#1 killer of Hispanic minors is automobile accident

Meharry study: Latin Americans more likely to buckle up than non-Hispanic whites

Seminar sponsored by Nissan North America, Inc. and Thompson Lane Boys and Girls Club

Nissan engineers, Nashville Police Chief Ronal Serpas will be present

Nissan North America, Inc. and Thompson Lane Boys and Girls Club are partnering up to offer a free bilingual child passenger safety seat seminar to the Hispanic community in support of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) National Child Passenger Safety Week on February 13, 2007 at 6 p.m - 7:30 p.m.

According to the NHTSA, in the United States 1,638 children ages 14 years and younger died as occupants in motor vehicle crashes, and approximately 214,000 were injured during 2004. Among Hispanics ages 1-18, automobile accidents are the leading cause of death. NHTSA studies show that 80% of children are not buckled up correctly.


Hispanics are more likely to use their seat belts than non-Hispanic whites, however, according to a study by Nashville's Meharry Medical College: "Central and South Americans were 66% more likely to buckle up than non-Hispanic whites, Mexicans were 33 % more likely to." (Story by WKRN's Amy Napier-Viteri here and video here).

Nissan’s Quest for SafetyTM seminar is designed to educate parents and caregivers about child passenger safety. The bilingual seminar will focus on Tennessee’s child passenger safety law with a hands-on demonstration on how to properly install a child safety seat or booster seat. Participants will receive English- and Spanish-language educational materials along with an opportunity to receive a free child safety seat through a raffle.

“There continues to be a disproportionate and alarming number of Hispanic and African American children in automobile accidents,” said Stephanie Valdez Streaty, senior manager, philanthropy and diversity communications at Nissan. “Safety is one of our highest priorities and we are happy to offer a seminar that can save a child’s life.” Nissan is an innovator and is driven by the desire to provide safer vehicles and driving experiences to its consumers and their loved ones worldwide. According to NHTSA, approximately 7,500 lives have been saved during the last 20 years due to the proper use of child safety seats and Nissan’s Quest for SafetyTM is on board to make a difference.

The Quest for SafetyTM seminar will take place Tuesday, February 13, 2007 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Thompson Lane Boys & Girls Club located on 67 Thompson Lane in Nashville. Nissan engineers will be on site to answer questions regarding child seat safety installation. Chief Ronal Serpas of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department will also be present to discuss the importance of child seat safety. Food and refreshments will be served after the event.


Established in 1998 by Nissan North America, Inc., the Quest for SafetyTM program aims to help parents and caregivers provide the safest riding experience for their children. Quest for SafetyTM is part of Nissan’s commitment to “Enriching People’s Lives” by helping to meet the needs of communities throughout the United States through philanthropic investments, corporate outreach sponsorships, in-kind donations and other charitable contributions. For more information on Nissan’s community relations efforts in the U.S., visit www.nissanusa.com.

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, design, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. More information about Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.infiniti.com.

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