Purpose

The purpose of this circular is to provide information to Department personnel and community members that will enhance their knowledge and awareness of traffic enforcement and traffic safety issues. The information in this circular can be used for crime prevention meetings, community presentations, and enforcement efforts. The emphasis this month is on Child Passenger Safety and Seat Belts in honor of National Child Passenger Safety Week, February 12-16, 2001, sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Traffic collisions are the leading cause of death of children in the country. Sadly, more than half of the children who die in collisions are not properly restrained in child safety seats or are unrestrained altogether. Many of these children would be alive today if they had been properly restrained in seatbelts or child safety seats. Studies have shown that child safety seats are 71 percent effective in saving the lives of children involved in vehicle collisions. Additionally, parents need to be reminded to use a booster seat for their children. Generally, children who have outgrown child safety seats with built-in harnesses are still too small to benefit from the protection of an adult seatbelt. Booster seats allow children to sit up comfortably in the passenger seat while providing the proper restraint of a standard seatbelt. Children should never be placed in a safety seat in the front of a vehicle equipped with a passenger air bag. All children age 12 and under should be properly restrained in the backseat.

• Infants (Birth to 12 Months): Choose an infant safety seat or convertible seat. The baby must face back of car. Ensure strap slots are at or below shoulder level and the baby’s head does not fall forward. Harnesses should be adjusted snugly before adding blankets. The baby’s head should be placed at least 1" below top edge of seat.
  

• Toddler’s and Young Children (12 months to 4 years): Choose a convertible seat or combination seat/booster (some newer vehicles contain built-in safety seats and harnesses). Children may face forward after age one and 20 pounds. Children should sit upright with strap slots at or about shoulder level. Top strap slots must be used for most convertible seats and a top tether strap should be used, if possible.

Children who have outgrown the booster or harness safety seats and are at least 4 years old and 40 pounds can use the safety belt restraints inside the vehicle. However, children need booster seats until they can sit all the way back with their knees bent at the edge of the seat, with the lap belt on the tops of their thighs, and with the shoulder belt centered on the shoulder and chest areas.

Beginning January 1, 2002, the law regarding child passenger restraint systems will change. The new law will prohibit transporting any child in a motor vehicle without properly securing the child in a child passenger restraint system unless the child is six years of age or 60 pounds.

It is the responsibility of every uniformed officer to enforce violations of the California Vehicle Code, educate citizens on the importance of traffic safety and make every effort to protect drivers on City streets. These efforts, combined with the participation and cooperation of community will help ensure the safety of motorists throughout the City.