Dwindling health fund drawing worries
June 5, 2014Not all the facts lead to mass hysteria
June 5, 2014Dear Editor,
As every Louisiana parent with kids at home knows, this time of year also mean the last days of school for thousands of elementary, middle and high school students.
Wrapping up another school year means many things to many people, but to parents, it means their children will likely be spending more time riding in a vehicle to get to and from the activities that keep them busy during the three months of summer vacation.
The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission reminds parents and children old enough to understand that summer vacation also means increased safety risks – especially injuries resulting from motor vehicle crashes. In fact, crashes are a leading cause of death for children.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nationwide in 2011, more than 650 children ages 12 and younger died as occupants in motor vehicle crashes, and more than 148,000 were injured. Children can also become crash victims while outside playing or riding bicycles.
There is much parents can do to help keep their children safe, especially while in a vehicle; perhaps most importantly, driving safely and making certain that children are buckled up with seat belts or in an age-appropriate child safety seat. Safety restraint use among young children often depends upon the driver’s seat belt use.
Oftentimes, children riding with unbelted drivers are themselves unrestrained. Also, surveys have shown that African-American and Hispanic children buckled up at considerably lower rates.
Whether it’s riding in a car, walking to a friend’s house or peddling a bicycle in the neighborhood, children should know the appropriate safety rules. Buckling up, wearing bicycle helmets, watching out for vehicles when crossing a street should all be basic safety rules that parents instill in their children.
On behalf of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, we wish parents and their children a safe and fun summer.
Lt. Col. John LeBlanc,
Executive Director, Louisiana Highway Safety Commission
