Safety Seat Checkup Week

What:The Los Angeles Police Department’s
West Traffic Division, in conjunction with the Peace Officers
Association of Los Angeles County and SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A., is
participating in Special Enforcement Week and Safety Seat Checkup
Week for 2005.

When: April 10-16, 2005 and a FREE Child
Safety Seat checkup on April 16, 2005

Where: Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060
Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles

Who: Officer Pat Beighley, Traffic Safety
Officer, West Traffic Division, 213-473-0215

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police
Department would like to inform the public that a special effort
will be made by law enforcement agencies throughout Los Angeles
County to watch for children under age 16 who are not properly
restrained and to “educate” the responsible parent or driver with
an appropriate citation.

Car crashes are the #1 preventable cause of death to children and
young adults, as well as a major cause of permanent brain damage,
epilepsy, and spinal cord injuries. Based on data provided by the
California Highway Patrol, more than 80% of the children under
four years of age killed by traffic collisions since 1990 died in
survivable crashes had they been properly secured in the vehicle.

Parents will be invited to buckle their children into safety
seats and have them checked by trained volunteer technicians.
Approximately 95% misuse has been documented at past checkups,
including unsafe and recalled seats. The goals of this
non-enforcement, educational event, are to help the families who
attend and to increase public awareness of the issue.

Appointments should be made by calling 310-222-6860. Q & A
for Child Safety Seats or Seat Belts: 800-745-SAFE (English) or
800-747-SANO (Spanish), or www.carseat.org.