WHEREAS, The increased use of seat belts and child safety seats saves lives, prevents injuries, reduces health care and other costs, as well as improving the lives of everyone living in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Automobile crashes are the leading cause of death and injury to American children. Many of the children who have died in Rhode Island crashes were unrestrained or improperly restrained; and

WHEREAS, Due in part to low seat belt use, fatality rates for teen drivers are four times higher than that for older drivers; and

WHEREAS, There is a vital need to reach people with information and education about the life saving benefits of seat belts; and

WHEREAS, Increasing awareness, setting bold and ambitious seat belt and child safety belt goals and highlighting these efforts will produce positive results; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby proclaims May 20 - 27, 2002 as "Buckle Up America Week" in Rhode Island; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he is hereby authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Honorable Lincoln C. Almond, Governor of the State of Rhode Island and Colonel Edmond S. Culhane, Jr., Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police.