State Police, PennDOT Partner to Promote Seat Belt Safety Enforcement, Child Seat Inspections

State Police, PennDOT Partner to Promote Seat Belt Safety Enforcement,
Child Seat Inspections

5/16/2017-HARRISBURG

Ahead of the Memorial Day weekend and busy summer travel season, the
Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) and the Pennsylvania Department of
Transportation (PennDOT) will partner with municipal police departments
statewide during the national "Click it or Ticket" seat-belt enforcement
mobilization through June 4.

As part of the enforcement, Pennsylvania State Police and local departments

will join agencies across the eastern half of the United States for a
border-to-border initiative beginning May 22 to provide increased seat-belt

enforcement at state borders, reinforcing the states' focus on safety.

Additionally, to help ensure the safety of infants and children in cars,
troopers certified as Child Passenger Safety Technicians will offer no-cost
car
seat fittings and inspections at various locations throughout the state.

"We encourage anyone who drives with children in the car to take advantage
of
this resource, whether they have a new baby in the family or need a quick
refresher on the proper installation of a safety seat," said Major Edward
Hoke,
director, Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Patrol. "The consistent use
of
seat belts and child passenger safety seats is the first step toward
keeping
your family safe on the road."

According to PennDOT data, unrestrained fatalities decreased from 413 to
408 in
2016. The statewide number of crashes in which people were not wearing seat

belts increased to 14,992, compared to 13,534 in 2015.

Motorists are reminded that Pennsylvania's primary seat-belt law requires
drivers and passengers under 18 years old to buckle up when riding anywhere
in
a vehicle. After the age of 18, drivers and passengers must wear a seat
belt
when behind the wheel or in the front passenger seat.

As of August, 2016, Pennsylvania law mandates that children under
two-years-old
to be secured in a rear-facing car seat. Children under the age of four
must be
restrained in an approved child safety seat. A booster seat is required for

children until their eighth birthday.

"Working together with our law enforcement partners, PennDOT aims to
educate
the public on resources available, but also send a united message to
motorists," Secretary Leslie S. Richards said. "Adults must provide a
positive
example to children by wearing their seat belts and properly securing
passengers."

For more information on seat belt safety visit, www.penndot.gov/safety.

A complete list of child passenger seat fitting stations is available at
www.psp.pa.gov.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Ashley Schoch, PennDOT, 717-783-8800 or Ryan Tarkowski,
PSP,
717-783-5556

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