SACRAMENTO –
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is dedicating the upcoming week to
promoting child passenger safety across California, focusing on the
protection of the state’s youngest road users. National Child
Passenger Safety Week, observed from September 15-21, 2024, aims to educate
parents and caregivers about the critical importance of proper child safety
restraints. The week emphasizes ensuring that every child is properly secured
for every trip, in the right car seat, and facing the correct direction based
on their age, weight, and height. “Properly
installed child safety seats offer the best protection for infants and young
children,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “The CHP is committed to
keeping California’s children safe. Our trained car seat experts are
available statewide to provide free, personalized instruction on proper car
seat installation to help ensure the best fit for your child.” Motor vehicle
crashes are the leading cause of death for children in the United States.
Yet, many of these tragedies are preventable. According to the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), child safety seats can reduce
the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants (under one year old) and by 54%
for toddlers (ages one to four). Since launching
its Child Passenger Safety Program in 1999, the CHP has trained thousands of
officers and staff as Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPS). These
technicians offer safety seat inspections, education, and hands-on training
year-round, providing valuable resources to parents and caregivers across the
state. If you’re
unsure about how to properly secure your child in a car seat, the CHP
encourages you to visit your nearest
CHP Area office and
speak with a certified child passenger safety technician. Find your local CHP
office using this link. California law
mandates that children under two years old, weighing less than 40 pounds, and
under 40 inches tall, must be secured in a rear-facing car seat. All children
under eight years old must be in a suitable safety seat in the back seat.
Safety experts recommend that children remain in the back seat until they
reach 13 years of age. For more details on child passenger safety, visit the
CHP Child Safety Seat Programs webpage. The
mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and
Security. | 
