“Securing your child in a correctly installed child safety seat is one of the most important things you can do to protect your child’s life every day,” according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Installing a child’s safety seat correctly, however, is difficult and is often done incorrectly. To educate adults on the proper use of child safety restraints, the Florida Highway Patrol is joining the NHTSA in its Child Passenger Safety Week campaign. The campaign runs through September 22, and ends with National Seat Check Saturday.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles requires that every operator of a motor vehicle driven on Florida roads must provide for the protection of any child 5 years old or below, by using a car seat that is crash-tested and federally approved. When properly restrained, the NHTSA reports, infants have a 71 percent greater chance of surviving a car crash and toddlers have a 54 percent decrease in the risk of death.
The campaign is aimed at helping parents find the appropriate car seat for their children.
The NHTSA states that the proper booster or car seat fits both the car and the child, and is one that will be used correctly for traveling. The child will not only ride as safely as possible, but the parent will also be establishing the foundation for a lifelong habit of using a seat belt every time the child travels.
With three out of four child safety seats improperly installed, it is critical for parents and caregivers to take the time to ensure a proper fit for their child. Florida residents can contact their local police or fire departments for assistance in properly securing their child seats.
At the Child Passenger Safety Week kickoff event in Orange County, Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings reported deputies will be stepping up enforcement of safety violations on the county’s highways, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Preston stated that they are extremely concerned about children not being restrained properly. Their goal, therefore, is to be proactive instead of being reactive.
Our Treasure Coast car accident attorneys encourage all Florida drivers to buckle up. We also ask that parents and caregivers take extra care in buckling up those that cannot do it themselves. Using a proper child safety seat is one of the most important steps you can take for keeping your child safe.
Contact an Experienced Florida Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Florida car accident due to the negligence or carelessness of another driver, seek experienced counsel. I am attorney Philip DeBerard. I have three decades of legal experience representing people injured in car accidents and other personal injury accidents.
The law firm of Philip DeBerard, Injury Attorney, represents victims of car accidents and automobile crashes in Stuart, Jupiter, Port St. Lucie, Okeechobee, Fort Pierce, Palm Beach and Vero Beach. If character traits such as integrity, dedication and compassion are what you seek in an accident lawyer, call Philip DeBerard. Choosing the right accident lawyer does make a difference.
Call 1-800-299-8878 to speak with a knowledgeable Florida car accident attorney or fill out our online contact form.
