CHP Focusing on Child Passenger Safety in September

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) recently issued a press release about their push to improve safety for child passengers in the State of California. During the third week of September (September 17-23, 2023), officials with the CHP are focusing on Safe and Secure rides for Children. During this time, the CHP will be observing National Child Passenger Safety Week with a variety of educational events for parents and caregivers throughout the state.   

This year, they’re hoping to get the word out about how to make sure every child is properly restrained. This year’s topics include issues like facing the correct direction, choosing age and size-appropriate safety seats and also making sure child safety seats are properly installed and adjusted.  

U.S. Child Passenger Safety Data  

  • Car crashes are the leading cause of death for children in the U.S.  
  • In 2021, 711 child passengers ages 12 and under were killed in crashes in the U.S.  
  • In 2020, more than 63,000 kids ages 12 and under were injured in crashes.  
  • Of the children who were killed in crashes, 36 percent were not buckled up at the time of the crash.  
  • Child safety seats have been shown to reduce fatal injury by 71 percent for infants (under the age of one) and 54 percent for toddlers (one to four years old)  

Child Passenger Safety Seat Laws in California  

In California, children under the age of two, weighing less than 40 pounds or below 40 inches tall, must ride in a rear-facing car seat. All children under the age of eight must ride in the back seat and in an age-appropriate safety seat.  

Get Your Seat Checked Out 

If you’re not totally confident in your child’s car seat, contact your local CHP office and ask to speak with a child passenger safety seat technician. It’s free, and they can inspect your car seat and make sure it’s properly installed and adjusted to fit your child. This is a great resource for parents and caregivers.  

If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a car accident in San Diego or anywhere in Southern California, contact the skilled and proven team at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, Inc. at 1.800.GO.HARRIS for a free case consultation today.