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State Police to Provide Free Inspections of Child Safety Seats

19 May 2000

State Police to Provide Free Inspections of Child Safety Seats

    HARRISBURG, Pa., May 19 State Police Commissioner Paul J.
Evanko today announced free inspections of child passenger safety seats for
parents next week as part of "Operation ABC:  Mobilizing America to Buckle Up
Children."
    "We're encouraging drivers to buckle up and to make sure all of their
passengers are properly restrained," Evanko said.  "Traffic crashes are the
leading cause of death and injury for children 15 and younger.  Tragically,
nearly six of every 10 children killed in crashes are unbuckled."
    Evanko said each State Police troop will conduct at least two child
safety-seats inspections.  At those inspections, troopers assisted by
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation technicians will inspect child
safety seats and provide information to parents on proper use of those seats.
Interested persons should contact their local State Police station for the
date and location of the nearest inspection.  All inspection locations will be
listed as of Monday, May 22, on the State Police website.  The site can be
reached through the Pennsylvania homepage, http://www.state.pa.us or directly
at http://www.psp.state.pa.us
    Evanko said May 22-29 is "Buckle Up America! Week," a national effort to
promote the use of safety belts and child restraint systems.
"Surveys indicate that about 70 percent of drivers in Pennsylvania used their
seatbelts last year," Evanko said.  "That's an increase of about 3 percent
from 1998, but it means that three of 10 Pennsylvanians still are not buckling
up."
    Evanko noted that during past inspections of child safety seats, troopers
have found that most child safety seats are not correctly installed in the
vehicles.
    "These child safety seats can save lives, but only when used properly,"
Evanko said.
    Pennsylvania law requires that children under 4 years old be securely
fastened in an approved child restraint seat while traveling in a vehicle.  In
addition, drivers and all front-seat passengers ages 4 and older must wear a
properly adjusted and fastened seatbelt.
    Penalties for violating the law include a fine and costs of about $93.
    "Our goal is to make everyone aware that seat belts and child safety seats
save lives," Evanko said.  "They are by far your best protection in a crash."
    He offered the following tips to motorists:
    -- Be a good role model for your children and buckle up;
    -- Have children 12 and under ride in the back seat whenever possible; and
    -- Never place an infant in a rear-facing infant seat in front of an
       airbag.