As summer approaches, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and state law enforcement agencies across the country are reminding motorists to drive responsibly and buckle up with their annual Click It or Ticket campaign. This year’s Click It or Ticket campaign will run from May 13th to June 5th, focusing on raising awareness about the importance of wearing a seat belt and enforcing seat belt laws. Let’s take a look at some seat belt safety considerations.
Seat belts work when they’re used correctly. Make sure that the lap belt is placed low across your hips, not on your stomach, and the shoulder belt should be snug across the chest and shoulder, not on your neck or collarbone. The lap belt should be fastened securely so that it fits snugly around the hips, and the shoulder belt should be positioned so that it lies flat against the chest and shoulder. Make sure that the seat belt is not twisted or loose, and that there is no slack in the belt.
Those who are pregnant should wear the lap belt below their belly so it fits snugly across their hips and pelvic bone. It’s not safe to wear the lap belt over or on top of their pregnant belly.
Choosing a Child Safety Seats
Even though child safety seats are required to meet the same federal standards, some seats are easier to install than others. If the seat isn’t installed correctly, the child isn’t safe. There are fitting stations in many cities that will make sure the seat is installed and teach you how to do it correctly moving forward.
Children need to be in the proper seating position in a seat appropriate for their size. The size of the child is what matters, not their age. Earlier this year, new federal standards for child safety seats were put in effect, adding minimum child weight labels to help people determine if the child should be rear-facing or forward-facing. The new standards also require all car seat manufacturers to test seats using lap-and-shoulder seat belts, rather than just a lap belt as it had previously been.
Take a look the guidelines provided by NHTSA for child passenger safety:
- Birth to age 2: Children should ride in a rear-facing car seat until they outgrow the height and weight limits set by the car seat manufacturer.
- Ages 2 to at least 4: Children should continue riding in a rear-facing car seat until they exceed the height or weight limit provided by the manufacturer. After that, they can transition to a forward-facing car seat with a harness.
- Ages 4 to 7: Children who have outgrown their rear-facing car seats should ride in a forward-facing car seat with a harness until they reach the height and weight limits set by the car seat manufacturer.
- Ages 8 to 12: Children should use a belt-positioning booster seat until they are tall enough for the vehicle’s seat belt to fit correctly.
- Ages 13 and older: Once children are tall enough to use the vehicle’s seat belt alone, make sure it fits snugly across the upper thighs and chest.
Road Trip Safety Tips
Along with wearing seat belts and properly securing children in the correct safety seats, here are some additional tips for a safe holiday weekend:
- Get enough rest before driving and take regular breaks during long trips to avoid fatigue.
- Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Avoid distractions such as texting or talking on the phone while driving.
- Observe posted speed limits and adjust your speed to road conditions.
- Be mindful of increased pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
- Ensure that your vehicle is well-maintained and ready for long-distance travel.
By following these guidelines and practicing responsible driving habits, we can all enjoy a memorable and safe summer.
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