U.S. Virgin Islands – Flemings’ Transport Company, Inc. partnered with the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD)/Office of Highway Safety (VIOHS) to provide child car safety restraint systems for child passengers across the territory. The transportation company’s sponsorship covered port to port shipping costs, allowing the agency to procure additional seats for community distribution.
The VI Code requires car seat and booster seat use by children under the age of 8 or under 4’9” tall. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, local retail outlets have failed to maintain inventories of these life-saving devices. “Child passenger safety is of paramount concern,” stated VIOHS Director Daphne O’Neal. “With an average of 14 crashes logged in the territory daily, we cannot continue to gamble with the lives of these young passengers. With Flemings’ Transport’s generous partnership, we are pleased to assist caregivers with safeguarding their children’s lives while complying with VI laws.”
Due to the bulky nature of these devices, import costs typically exceed 50% of the purchase price. With the savings incurred, VIOHS was able to procure 300 seats per district – across developmental stages – for distribution to families in need at no- to low-cost.
Buckle up, VI! Every trip. Everyone. Every time. For more information on securing child passengers or to learn ways to get involved in traffic safety, contact the Virgin Islands Office of Highway Safety through Director O’Neal at daphne.oneal@vipd.vi.gov or Occupant Protection Program Manager, Denise Gomes, at denise.gomes@vipd.vi.gov or via telephone at (340) 473-7383.
