California Highway Patrol

(Sacramento) Motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading killers in California for children ages 14 years and under, with unrestrained or improperly restrained children being the number one contributing factor.

“You can never be too careful when it comes to protecting your children,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “The best way to keep your child from becoming a grim statistic is make sure they are properly secured in their safety seat.”

According to California Highway Patrol (CHP) statistics, statewide for 2005 to 2007, out of the 148 passenger vehicle occupant fatalities among children under 6 years of age, an estimated 89 (60 percent) were totally unrestrained.

To help combat the problem, the CHP has obtained a $1 million dollar federal grant from the Office of Traffic Safety. The money will provide the CHP with the means to strengthen its enforcement and education efforts statewide with a combination of seat belt and safety seat usage surveys, in addition to child passenger safety presentations.

“This grant will help us arm parents and child care providers with valuable information and equipment that can save their child’s life,” said Commissioner Farrow.

In addition to the 20 check-up events and 125 safety presentations, 25 of which will be to individuals for whom English is a second language, the Statewide Highway Restraint Enforcement Campaign (SHREC) II will provide for safety seats to be distributed to parents whose seats don’t measure up to current safety standards. Money from the federal grant will also be used to increase the number of technicians certified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to perform child safety seat inspections at CHP Child Safety Seat Fitting Stations. Check with your local CHP office to find a technician or "fitting station" near you.

“And remember to set a good example for your little one by buckling up yourself,” Commissioner Farrow added.

You may report unrestrained children in a motor vehicle to the California Highway Patrol by calling 1-800-TELL CHP.