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Safety Tips For
Driving With 'Tweens'
Driving with your kids in the car can sometimes be a
trying experience, and not just when it comes to
choosing a radio station. Just because your children
are too old for car booster seats, doesn't mean they
should be seated like adults.
Large numbers of 8 to 12 year olds - dubbed "tweens"
by marketers - are needlessly at risk when riding in
motor vehicles according to a research report
recently released by the Automotive Coalition for
Traffic Safety (ACTS).
The report found that half of tweens surveyed do not
always wear seat belts and many sit in front seats.
"Tweens are at an important age, a time when they
are developing habits they will carry into their
teen and adult years," said Christene Jennings, ACTS
director of programs. "We're finding belt use and
seating position for tweens are significantly
influenced by their parents. And we're learning how
parents can be more effective at getting tweens
properly restrained in a back seat."
The safest place for children 12 and under is
properly restrained in a back seat, in an age- and
size- appropriate restraint, booster seat or a
properly fitting seat belt.
Unfortunately, as children age, restraint use
declines and their desire to sit in the front seat
grows. Overall about a third of tweens surveyed
reported sitting in the front seat. And research
shows children are 40% more likely to be injured in
the front seat than the back.
Most tweens already are aware of the benefits of
buckling up. However, safety alone has limited
influence because other factors may be more
important to them.
Even though tweens are becoming more independent,
they still need parental guidance to ensure their
safety in cars.
Surveys showed when parents take control, tweens
tend to sit in the back. Two thirds sit in a back
seat when parents make the decision, compared to
only half of tweens who independently decide where
to sit.
The ACTS is providing some tips on persuading tweens
to buckle up in a back seat:
* Buckle up yourself! Tweens still think of their
parents as role models. Research shows when parents
are restrained, their children are more likely to be
as well.
* Tell them it's the law. Seat belts are mandatory
by law. Let tweens know belt use isn't an option;
it's the law.
* Let your tween pick the radio station. Tweens said
being in control of the radio is a major benefit of
the front seat. Make a deal with your tween: If he
sits buckled in back, he can choose.
* Give your tween something to do in a back seat.
Electronic games can be stored in a back seat and
make games in the front seat off limits.
* Let tweens "own" their space in a back seat.
Tweens are eager to claim their own space. Let them
set up places to keep things in a back seat so
that's the first place they want to go.
More information on tween car safety in available on
a new Web site from the ACTS, available at
www.tweensafety.org.
(SPM Wire)
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