Each and every year, we dedicate an entire week to Child Passenger Safety Week, to help parents to understand the importance of properly buckling in our youngest passengers. Each day, two children are killed and another 350 injured (under the age of two) in auto accidents while not wearing the proper safety harness. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicle accidents continue to be the number one cause of death for children across the nation.
Officials with the NHTSA are pushing Child Passenger Safety week to highlight the important safety benefits associated with the proper use of car seats, booster seats and seat belts.
Our New York City child injury lawyers understand know the state of New York requires seat belt use by adults in motor vehicles — and seat belts, booster seats or child safety seats for children. And that’s why our state is a “primary enforcement” state. What this means is that a law enforcement officer can hand out a traffic ticket just for failure to wear a seat belt. They don’t have to pull you over for a previous infraction before doing so — as in other states. A citation can be issued to the driver who fails to make sure a child passenger is properly secured in a safety seat or with a seat belt. This law also applies to visitors from outside of the state.
“Safety is our top priority, particularly when it comes to protecting our children – who are our most vulnerable passengers,” said Anthony Foxx, U.S. Transportation Secretary.
Regardless of what kind of vehicle you drive, the most important safety issue concerning children is the kind of restraint they’re using — and it’s important it’s used correctly.
From 1975 through 2011, officials believe that about 10,000 lives (under the age of 5) were saved because of the proper use of booster seats and child restraints. In 2011 alone, officials believe that well over 250 lives were saved.
Child Seat Safety Tips:
-Make sure that your child is always properly placed in a child restraint system that accommodates their age, size and weight.
-Read through the seat’s manual to make sure that it’s being used properly.
-Read the vehicle’s owner’s manual to make sure that you’re installing the child seat properly and as safely as possible.
-Make a stop by your local Child Car Seat Inspection Station and have your child’s car seat inspected by a certified technician. There are close to 300 child safety seat inspection stations throughout the state of New York.
-Use the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) restraint system or seat belt when you’re installing you child’s car seat.
-Stop by SaferCar.gov regularly to get the latest recalls and safety information regarding your child’s car seat.
-Set a safe example and make sure you’re bucked in, too — during each and every car ride.
Take a look at your child’s car seat today. Make sure that it’s appropriate for their size, age and weight and that it’s being properly used. It would wind up saving their life.
The New York City Law Offices of Nicholas Rose, PLLC offers free consultations. Call 1-877-313-7673.
More Blog Entries:
Rising Temps and Higher Risks for Child Heatstroke Accidents, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, June 27, 2013
NYC Child Injuries Decline Following School Zone Safety Program, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, February 5, 2013
