Seat-belt safety campaign is under way

We are currently in the middle of a seat-belt campaign. Over the next few days you will see an increased enforcement initiative and lower tolerance with regards to seat belt and child safety seat compliance. For children ages 1 to 9 years motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death and/or injury. In fatal crashes, nearly 20 per cent of children who were under the age of 8 years were not wearing a seat-belt, or restrained in a child safety seat or booster seat. A correctly used car seat will reduce the likelihood of death or injury by 75 per cent. Here are some common mistakes: · Seat-belt or U.A.S. not tight enough to secure seat properly. · Harness and shoulder straps are too loose. · Chest clip is too low. · Child safety seat is not appropriate for weight and height of child. · Tether strap is not used for forward facing seats, or clipped to cargo anchors as apposed to proper tether anchors. · Seat-belt locking clip is not used when required (Review vehicle and seat manuals). · Children under 12 years of age are in the front seat

The safest and best practice is to keep your child under 12 in the back seat, away from any active air bag. Remember, failing to properly secure yourself and/or child will result in a fine and two demerit points. Contact me personally for crime prevention tips at 905-878-5511 extension 2470, or by e-mailing chris.borak@hrps.on.ca. Please reserve the 911 system for emergency calls only. Const. Chris Borak is the community support officer for District