Nashville, Tennessee --- January, 2008, marks the 30th anniversary of Tennessee’s Child Safety Seat Law. In 1978, Tennessee led the country by being the first state to adopt a law requiring safety seats for child passengers. Since then, every state and the District of Columbia have passed some form of a child restraint law.

Governor Phil Bredesen, along with lawmakers who were instrumental in the passage of the original law, will join members of the General Assembly and representatives from the Governor’s Highway Safety Office, the Department of Safety and AAA to commemorate the passage of the legislation.

WHO:            Governor Phil Bredesen
                     AAA
                     Tennessee Department of Safety
                     Members of the TN General Assembly
                     Child Safety Advocates

WHAT:          Tennessee Child Safety Seat Law 30th anniversary

WHEN:          Thursday, January 17, 2008
                     10:00 a.m.

WHERE:        Old Supreme Court Chambers
                     1st floor, State Capitol

The National Highway Safety Administration estimates 8,700 lives have been saved nationally due to child safety seats since the passage of the original legislation in Tennessee. Children not in restraint devices have been shown to be 11 times more likely to die in a crash than those who are restrained.

The Tennessee Department of Safety's mission is (www.tn.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.