Fitzgerald Auto Malls Protects 45,000 Children On The Road

    NORTH BETHESDA, MD, May 22, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Today marks a special milestone at Fitzgerald Auto Malls. At today's monthly Child Seat Inspection, Fitzgerald Auto Malls will install and inspect their 45,000th child safety seat. No other local volunteer program in the United States has ever achieved this many child safety seat inspections within a single program.

Jack Fitzgerald, CEO and founder of Fitzgerald Auto Malls, started the Fitzgerald Child Car Seat Inspection Program in 1999 after learning the dangers of improperly installed child safety seats. Since then, Fitzgerald Auto Malls, in partnership with national and local government agencies, has been committed to injury prevention and increasing the number of lives saved through properly installed child safety seats.

"As a local business owner, I am proud to have the opportunity to work with the great government and state organizations to promote public safety," said Jack Fitzgerald. "For 15 years now, Montgomery County Police and Fire & Rescue Services have been actively involved at our child safety seat events and I thank them for their support."

The Fitzgerald Child Car Seat Inspection Program has been a wonderful example of public-private partnership success. The local Montgomery County police and fire rescue volunteers have been integral in helping to organize and staff the events.

"Today we celebrate a unique public-private partnership that has helped 45,000 children travel safer and given at least as many families greater peace of mind," said Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler. "Congratulations to all of our state and local law enforcement and fire and rescue professionals who've teamed with Jack Fitzgerald and his staff, for their hard work and dedication to protecting the most vulnerable passengers in any vehicle."

From 1975 through 2008, NHTSA estimates that almost 9,000 children were saved in crashes because they were restrained in car seats or seat belts. The misuse of car seats remains a big problem and motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among children ages 3 to 14. The latest numbers show that every day in the United States, an average of 4 children younger than 14 were killed and 529 were injured in motor vehicle crashes. In 1999, the first year of the Fitzgerald Child Safety Seat Program, the misuse rate was 97%. The numbers have dropped to 50% year to date.

Monthly events are held at the White Flint Rockville dealership on Nicholson Lane, on the third Thursday of every month. Visit www.FitzMall.com for details or to make an appointment.

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