County gets grant for child car seats, safety education and training program

A $150,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety will fund child car seats for low-income families, as well as child passenger safety education and training programs aimed at helping parents and caretakers make sure their child is riding safely. The grant covers the 2019 federal fiscal year, which is Oct. 1, 2018, to Sept. 30, 2019.

“Children are our future and it is important that parents and caretakers keep children safe by using the right car seat, and installing it correctly,” OTS Director Rhonda Craft said. “Funding for child passenger safety education and training is critical to ensuring children are as safe as possible in vehicles.”

Funding from OTS will go toward a variety of activities to promote occupant safety and decrease injuries and deaths due to improper use of car seats, boosters or seat belts, including child seat safety checkups and inspections; conduct child safety seat education classes for low-income families including teen parents; child passenger safety technician training and recertification training; distribute 100 child safety seats to families in need; conduct safety seat usage surveys; collaborate with law enforcement agencies to increase knowledge and awareness of child passenger safety; conduct training sessions for officers on occupant protection and conduct child passenger safety education classes for elementary schools.

A nationwide survey conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety found that two out of three car seats are misused. Car crashes remain the leading cause of death for children, and car seats save lives by reducing the risk of injury or death.

The grant’s objective is to increase the proper use of child safety seats, the use of seat belts and to educate parents about vehicle safety.

For more information, visit the http://www.psc411.com or call (855) 477-2411.

Funding for this child passenger safety program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.