St. Thomas, VI – In response to an urgent community need for booster seats for children between ages 4 and 8, Heavy Materials, LLC. responded generously by donating 150 booster seats to the VI Office of Highway Safety (VIOHS) for children in the St. Thomas/St. John district. In the territory, child passengers are required to ride in an age, weight and height appropriate child safety restraint until age 8 or up to 4’9” tall.
The VIOHS launched a booster seat drive in November following an observational survey conducted in local elementary schools which revealed approximately 78% of students leaving campus without booster seats. Heavy Materials, LLC. responded generously to the call for assistance. “At Heavy Materials, the safety of our employees in the workplace is our most important priority,” shared General Manager, Margaret Ashley. “When I learned about the booster seat initiative, it was a significant way to share our safety culture in the communities where we operate and help families keep their children safe.”
The generosity and genuine concern for child passenger safety did not end with the donation. A booster seat distribution event took place on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at the Tutu Park Mall providing booster seats to families in need. The event was supported by the VI Department of Property and Procurement, who provided storage space; Advantage Landscaping and Trucking, LLC., who loaded and transported the booster seats; and Mr. Juan Christian and his Tutu Park Mall team, who assisted with logistics and provided the distribution venue. Securing child passengers in the territory requires a community approach.
“Every adult – both motorists and onlookers – must take responsibility for ensuring child passengers ride safely,” advised VIOHS Director Daphne O’Neal. “Car and booster seats are proven to reduce injuries for children in crashes. They are small investments that save lives.” VIOHS provides education and resources required for caregivers to make safe decisions for the children in their care.
Buckle up, VI! Every trip. Everyone. Every time. The VIOHS thanks all companies and caregivers that worked together to increase safety for child passengers. For more information or resources on child passenger safety, contact the Virgin Islands Office of Highway Safety through Director O’Neal at daphne.oneal@vipd.vi.gov or Occupant Protection Planner/Coordinator Denise Gomes at denise.gomes@vipd.vi.gov or via telephone at (340) 473-7383.