National Child Passenger Safety Week: CHP Conducting Child Seat Checks in East Bay

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) Golden Gate Division will be actively participating in several child passenger restraint events around the Bay Area in honor of National Child Passenger Safety Week (September 14-20).

“We see incidents where children are not properly secured in a restraint system and the results are tragic,” stated Chief Avery Browne. “The CHP wants to do everything it can to have every child car seat installation inspected and every parent, grandparent, additional family member(s), and caretaker(s) educated on how to install the seat and properly secure each and every child. This focus is extremely important and we all need to do our part to keep our children as safe as possible.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, collisions are the leading cause of death of children ages 1 to 12 years old in the United States. In fact, thousands of children are injured or killed every year by safety seats that are improperly fastened by parents or caretakers. The law states:

• Children under the age of 8 must be secured in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat.

• Children under the age of 8 who are 4’ 9” or taller may be secured by a safety belt in the back seat.

• Children who are 8 years and over shall be properly secured in an appropriate child passenger restraint system or safety belt.

• Passengers who are 16 years of age and over are subject to California’s Mandatory Seat Belt law.

Please remember that no matter if you’re driving on the freeway for a distance or a short trip around the corner, buckle your child in the proper restraint and do it properly.

Event Dates and Locations in the East Bay:

• Castro Valley Area - September 20 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Castro Valley Area office – 21020 Redwood Road, Castro Valley. No appointment necessary
• Contra Costa Area – September 15 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Contra Costa Area office – 5001 Blum Street, Martinez. Note: Individuals wishing to have a seat checked must call the Contra Costa Area Office at (925) 646-4980 to reserve an appointment time.
• Dublin Area – September 20 from 8:15 until 12:15 p.m. at the Dublin Area office – 4999 Gleason Road, Dublin.
  Note: Individuals wishing to have a seat checked must call the Dublin Area Office at (925) 828-0466 to reserve an appointment time.
• Hayward Area - September 16 from 4:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Leitch Elementary – 47100 Fernald Street, Fremont. No appointment necessary
• Oakland Area will be participating with Safe Kids Alameda– September 20 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Safe Kids Alameda office – 1000 San Leandro Boulevard, Alameda. Note: Individuals wishing to have a seat checked must call the Safe Kids office at (510) 618-2050 to reserve an appointment time.

Related article: New California Law Aims to Provide Extra Safety for Kids Biking to School

Information submitted by the California Highway Patrol