Hyundai Continues Partnership With CHLA to Promote Child Passenger and Pedestrian Safety

Hyundai Motor America announced continuing its partnership with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), donating $150,000 to the Injury Prevention Program to support child passenger and pedestrian safety.

Hyundai‘s donation will allow CHLA to host more car seat check events and another LA Street Smarts Event teaching pedestrian safety to elementary school-aged children. The donation is part of Hyundai’s corporate social responsibility initiative, Hyundai Hope, which seeks to improve society’s well-being by supporting the community’s health and safety.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that nearly half of the car seats and booster seats are installed incorrectly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, child safety seats reduce the risk of fatality to infants by 71 per cent, toddlers by 54 per cent, and children ages 4-8 by 45 per cent.

Meanwhile, NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis found that almost 300 pedestrian deaths occurred in California in 2018. Community education programs and awareness building are vital to prevent these types of tragedies.

“Consumer education and community partnerships play a key role in helping us keep our passengers and other road users safe, which is our top priority at Hyundai,” said Brian Latouf, global chief safety officer at Hyundai Motor Company. “We look forward to growing our partnership with CHLA, whose nationally recognised Injury Prevention Program saves lives and shares our commitment to promoting a safety culture in our communities.”

With the donation, CHLA’s Injury Prevention Program will collaborate with community partners using evidenced-based strategies and innovative technologies to keep kids safe. The program will focus on mitigating two leading causes of injury and death in children – motor vehicle crashes and pedestrian injuries.

With Hyundai, CHLA will continue to host car seat check events where certified child passenger safety technicians will inspect car seats for correct fit, installation, expiration date, and recalls. Families will also receive new car seats if needed.

CHLA and Hyundai will also host more LA Street Smarts events in both Los Angeles and Orange Counties. The program includes a mobile, life-size set with active traffic signals and interactive components that will teach children proper pedestrian safety techniques, including helping them understand the hazards of walking near streets.

“We are grateful for this gift to support the Injury Prevention Program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles,” said Helen Arbogast, PhD, MPH, Manager, Injury Prevention and Trauma Program at CHLA. “This gift will allow us to reach more children and families with critical, lifesaving child passenger and pedestrian safety information and support the hospital’s mission of creating hope and building healthier futures.”

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