- The ARC - California Edition -

Buckling Up

According to researchers analyzing the statistics of the California Highway Patrol, the use of seat belts by young children would have significantly reduced the number of traffic collision deaths over the last decade. They concluded that about 85% of the children under 4 years of age who were killed in traffic collisions during the 1987 through 1996 period would have lived if they had been properly buckled up. Eighty five percent ! ! !

This spring there was a concerted effort conducted by the state and local law enforcement officials which focused on making sure people buckled up when they drive -- both themselves and their children. The law of the state of California requires that children who are less than 4 years old and weigh less than 40 pounds must ride in a restrained, approved, car safety seat, and that children older than that age use fitted safety belts or other appropriate restraints.

The fine for failing to comply with this state law is $270 when a driver is found to be driving a vehicle containing a passenger without proper restraints (an approved car safety seat or seat belt).

The objective of the enforcement effort was to increase the safety awareness for the occupants of vehicles. Officers were mainly watching out for babies on laps, youngsters riding loose, and people riding in the back of pickup trucks.

This enforcement effort was conducted in conjunction with Child Passenger Safety Week during late April. During that week, various regions of the state also conducted Safety Seat Checkup Days. During 1997, a similar checkup day conducted locally at the Los Angeles Zoo found that more than 90% of the child safety seats inspected were being used improperly.