Are you and your child passengers properly restrained while driving?
Motor Vehicle Crashes
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among children ages 3 to 14 in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 2017, an estimated 325 child occupants 4 and younger in the United States were saved by the use of child restraints. Correct usage of properly installed child restraint systems is imperative in protecting child passengers.
Child Passenger Safety
Best Practice
Keep your child rear-facing as long as possible. It’s the best way to keep him or her safe. Your child should remain in a rear-facing car seat until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer, this is often 40lbs or higher. Once your child outgrows the rear-facing car seat, your child is ready to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether.
Keep your child in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer, this is often 60-65lbs. Once your child outgrows the forward-facing car seat with a harness, it’s time to travel in a booster seat, but still in the back seat.
Keep your child in a booster seat until he or she is big enough to fit in a seat belt properly. For a seat belt to fit properly the lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should lie snugly across the shoulder and chest and not cross the neck or face, and the child’s knees should fold over the edge of the seat.
Children 12 and younger should never sit in the front seat. The safest seating position is in the back seat, away from airbags if possible.
Children 13 years of age or older may ride in the front seat, but should position their seat as far back as possible from the airbag.
Always wear your lap and shoulder belt when driving - it protects you in case of a crash and it sets a good example for children.
Car Seat Inspection & Installment
To determine eligibility for an inspection and installation, contact Ofc. Allie Cebula via email or 413-538-5050
The South Hadley Police Department is committed to keeping our children safe. The South Hadley Police Department will offer Child Passenger Car Seat inspections to any South Hadley resident by appointment only. For South Hadley residents only, certified technicians will thoroughly inspect child passenger car seats for wear and effectiveness and assist owners with installation.
Out of Town Residents
This program is offered to South Hadley residents only. Out of town residents may contact the Western Massachusetts SAFE KIDS Coalition, for additional information.
For more information on child passenger safety visit Mass.gov.