National Child Passenger Safety Week

The Massachusetts State Police in cooperation with the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security along with local police across the Commonwealth are reminding parents and caregivers that the 2007 National Child Passenger Safety Week is September 16-22, 2007.

During this week, busy parents and caregivers should take some time to ensure that their children are properly secured in a federally approved child safety seat, booster seat or with a safety belt. Parents should always set a good example for their children by always buckling up themselves.

 

National Child Passenger Safety Week
Child safety seats reduce the likelihood of infants less than one years-old from being killed in a motor vehicle crash by 71% and toddlers from 1 to 4 years-old by 54%. Boosters seats are critical for children who have outgrown their child safety seats but aren't of the proper size and weight to safely use the adult safety belts. Children are unable to safely wear a safety belt until they are at least 80 pounds and are 4'9".

Under Massachusetts law everyone must be properly restrained. The Massachusetts Child Passenger Safety Law allows police to stop drivers of most vehicles if they are observed with unrestrained or improperly restrained passengers who are 12 years of age or younger.

National Child Passenger Safety Week Information on the Massachusetts Child Passenger Safety Law and on how to safely transport children in motor vehicles is available from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security's website at www.mass.gov/highwaysafety . The State Police also has a child passenger safety hotline which can be reached at 508-988-7090. These resources can assist parents and caregivers to identify Child Passenger Safety Technicians working individually or in teams at various locations who will help to properly install child safety seats and answer related questions.