EMERGENCY NURSES ASSOCIATION PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, injuries and deaths from traffic crashes bring loss and suffering to the citizens of the United States; and

WHEREAS, the cost of such injuries brings economic hardship to families; and

WHEREAS, the nation's health care system and emergency response resources are significantly impacted by injuries of traffic crashes; and

WHEREAS, research shows that using safety belts and child safety seats is still the single most effective way to reduce injuries and save lives in traffic crashes; and

WHEREAS, one in four drivers and passengers in the United States still do not buckle up; and

WHEREAS, research shows that when a driver is unbuckled, 70 percent of the time children in that vehicle are also unbuckled; and

WHEREAS, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that when safety belt use in the United States reaches 85 percent, each year 17,023 lives will be saved; and

WHEREAS, the "Click It or Ticket" campaign includes intensified law enforcement and public education to get everyone into the safety belt habit;

We, the members of the Emergency Nurses Association, therefore, join public and private leaders across the United States in supporting the "Click It or Ticket" campaign and do urge everyone to buckle up themselves and buckle up their children to protect life and the quality of life.

September 18, 2002
Sherri-Lynne Almeida, RN, MSN, Med, DrPH, CEN, EMT-P
2002 ENA President