Georgia children in danger from not being in the right car seats

ATLANTA – The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety announced today its participation in National Child Passenger Safety Week, a campaign dedicated to helping parents and caregivers make sure their children ride as safely as possible, every trip, every time.

Child Passenger Safety week runs from Sept. 14-20 and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“Every 34 seconds in the U.S., a child under age 13 is involved in a crash,” said GOHS Director Harris Blackwood. “Using age and size appropriate child restraints is the best way to keep your child safe. Cars seats matter, and having the right car seat installed and used the right way is critical.”

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading killer of children ages 1 to 13. Car seats, booster seats, and seat belts can make all the difference. In 2012, more than 200 children under age 5 were saved because they were in car seats.

Too often, parents move their children to the front seat before they should, which increases the risk of injury and death. Also, according to NHTSA, about 24 percent of children ages 4-7 (who should be riding in booster seats), were prematurely moved to seat belts, and 9 percent were unrestrained altogether.

“It’s our job to keep our children safe,” Blackwood said. “Find a car seat inspection station on our website and get your car seats checked. Make certain they’re installed the right way and that your kids are buckled in the right way. Even if you think your child is safe, check again, so you can be sure that your child is the safest he or she can be while riding.”

NHTSA recommends keeping children rear-facing as long as possible up to the top height or weight allowed by their particular seats. Once a child outgrows the rear-facing only “infant” car seat, he/she should travel in a rear-facing “convertible” or multi-use car seat. Once your child outgrows the rear-facing size limits, he or she is ready to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a harness. After outgrowing the forward-facing car seats, children should be placed in booster seats until they’re big enough to use seat belts safely. The safest place for kids under 13 is in the back seat of the car.

In July 2011, Georgia established a new child passenger safety law requiring children under the age of 8 to be properly secured in the back seat of a motor vehicle in a car seat or booster seat.

Donr more information on child passenger safety requirements in Georgia, call 404-656-6996 or visit www.gahighwaysafety.org.