Proper use of seat belts and child passenger safety will be the focus of the Midland Police Department Traffic Safety team as they participate in a nation-wide campaign seat-belt campaign.
Nov. 19 through the 25 the Midland Police Department, along with tens of thousands of officers from all 50 states, will step–up enforcement of their state’s seat belt and child passenger safety laws.
During this time officers will focus on seat belt enforcement especially for children.
Following are some reminders about our current seat belt laws and also some tips for proper use of seat belts and positioning of children in motor vehicles.
· The law allows police officers to stop a motorist solely for not wearing a safety belt in the front seat of a vehicle.
· The law allows police officers to stop a motorist if a child age 4 though 15 is not properly restrained, no matter where they are riding in a vehicle.
· The law improves child passenger protection by requiring all children under the age of 4 to be properly restrained in an approve child safety seat.
Tips for Motorists
· KIDS RIDE IN BACK. Infants should NEVER ride in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger air bag. Children, typically ages 12 and under, also should ride buckled up in the back seat.
·
CHILD SAFETY SEATS. Young children and infants always should
ride in age- and size-appropriate child safety seats. The safety seat should be held properly in
place by the vehicle’s safety belts and the child should be correctly buckled
in the child safety seat. A child who
has outgrown a convertible child safety seat will need to ride in a booster
seat for the vehicle’s safety belts to fit properly.
·
WEAR BOTH LAP AND SHOULDER BELTS. The shoulder strap should cross the
collarbone, and the lap belt should fit low and tight. The shoulder strap should never be slipped
behind the back or under the arm. This
is a dangerous habit, especially in cars with air bags.
The officers of Midland Police Department wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.
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