Nashville, Tennessee --- Almost 30 years after Tennessee first enacted a Child Restraint Law, law enforcement and health experts say some parents are still using the seats incorrectly. Since using a device improperly is dangerous, THP, the Governor's Highway Safety Office and top hospitals across the state have joined forces to promote the safe use of child restraint devices, and mark the anniversary of the law.

"State law requires drivers to use child restraint devices to protect children riding in vehicles," says Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Mike Walker. "But using them correctly is vital. That's why THP is partnering with safety experts to help educate people on how to properly use these life-saving devices."

A study published in the June issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine (a JAMA/Archives journal) indicates that properly used child safety seats are associated with a drop in the risk of death between 21% and 28%. "Motor vehicle crashes still take the lives of children at an alarming rate. Correctly restraining them dramatically cuts their risk of injury and death," says Dr. Brian J. Daley, Associate Director of Trauma at University of Tennessee Medical Center. "No parent or caregiver wants a trip to end in tragedy."

Dr. Veronica Gunn, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Vanderbilt, said, " As a physician, I've spent my share of time in the emergency room. Sometimes, the injuries we see change lives forever. It's frustrating when you see a child who has been seriously hurt, and to also know that injury might have been prevented if he or she had been properly restrained."

Kendell Poole, Director of the Governor's Highway Safety Office, echoes that sentiment. "It seems so easy, but even the most diligent parent could still be misinformed on how to properly use a child restraint devise. By showing parents and caregivers how to correctly use these devices, we can change people's actions, and, in doing so, save lives."

Dr. Barry Gilmore, Director of the Emergency Department at LeBonheur Children's Medical Center in Memphis , says parents should set a good example. "T he restraint of adult drivers and the restraint of their child passengers are strongly related issues. Adults who use seat belts themselves are three times more likely to make sure that their children are properly restrained."

On Friday, June 30 th and Saturday, July 1st, child restraint checkpoints will be conducted in cities across Tennessee . To view those, click here. Qualified technicians from THP, the partner hospitals and other safety education groups will help parents understand how to use these life-saving devices correctly.

Becky Campbell, Safe & Sound Coordinator at T.C. Thompson Children's Hospital at Erlanger, says changing actions is the focus of outreach efforts. " We're making progress in impressing parents and caregivers with the importance of using child restraint devices properly. With a little education and extra effort, every child in Tennessee can ride safer." Since January 1 st , T.C. Thompson Children's Hospital at Erlanger has treated 48 children due to motor vehicle injuries. Of the 48, only 19 were properly restrained. The 29 children treated that were not properly restrained all suffered severe traumatic injuries, resulting in one death.

Natalie Wilhelm of Knoxville is a mother who learned first hand the importance of properly installing child restraint seats. "I had gone to a child restraint seat checkpoint well before my due date to learn how to install the seat in my car. The first time I took my son to the pediatrician, we were in a traffic crash. We were hit in the side and both cars were totaled.  I had learned at the checkpoint that the child restraint seat belongs in the middle of the back seat. All the adults involved in the crash were bruised and scraped, but my son didn't have a scratch on him! I'm glad I learned how to properly use the child restraint seat before he was born."

The Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville , University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville , LeBonheur Children's Medical Center in Memphis and T.C. Thompson Children's Hospital at Erlanger in Chattanooga are all partners in this weekend's effort.

The Tennessee Department of Safety's mission is (www.tennessee.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.