The Campbell Police Department is joining law enforcement agencies, public health departments and other community organizations to raise awareness about the importance of keeping children in the correct car seat for their age and size.
During Child Passenger Safety Week, the Campbell Police Department encourages all parents and caregivers to make sure their children are riding safely by using the correct car seats, booster seats and properly fitted seat belts. This annual campaign takes place from September 15-21.
“Ensuring that children are properly secured in correctly fitted and installed car seats is not just a matter of compliance—it's a crucial step in safeguarding their lives,” Campbell Chief of Police Gary Berg said. “In the event of a crash, a well-installed car seat can make all the difference, significantly reducing the risk of injury. During Child Passenger Safety Week, we urge all parents and caregivers to take a few minutes to double-check their child’s car seat.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly half of car seats (46%) are misused. Properly installed car seats have been shown to reduce fatal injury crashes by 71% for infants under a year old and by 54% for toddlers ages 1 through 4.
California law requires all children under 2 years old to ride in a rear-facing car seat, unless the child is 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall. Once a child reaches these milestones, all children under the age of 8 years are still required to be secured in a car seat or booster seat. Children under the age of 8 may not ride in the front seat unless the vehicle is not equipped with a rear, forward-facing seat. Children 8 and older, or who are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall, may be secured by a booster seat, but at a minimum must be wearing a properly fitted safety belt.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to keep children in the proper rear or forward-facing seat as long as possible and use the “Five-Step Test” to determine if their child is big enough to safely use a seat belt without a booster seat.
To schedule a free child safety seat inspection, contact your local CHP Area Office.
