St. Croix, VI – The VI Police Department (VIPD)/Office of Highway Safety (VIOHS) will host a car seat safety check to support St. Croix motorists with the safe transportation of child passengers. Similar events were held recently in St. John and St. Thomas with 95% of seats requiring correction.
VI law requires the use of car and booster seats for child passengers under age 8 or less than 4’9” tall. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), these safety devices have been proven to reduce crash injuries and fatalities for children. However, they only work as designed when used according to manufacturer’s instructions. “Well-intentioned caregivers typically install these devices without ever consulting the manual,” offered VIOHS Occupant Protection Program Manager, Denise Gomes. “Our technicians are trained to recognize usage errors and will show caregivers how to safely use their seat going forward.” The free seat check event will take place on Saturday, February 21st in Wendy’s parking lot, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
For more information on child passenger safety, contact the Virgin Islands Office of Highway Safety through Director Daphne O’Neal at daphne.oneal@vipd.vi.gov, or Ms. Gomes, at denise.gomes@vipd.vi.gov. You may also contact the office via telephone at (340) 712-6073 or (340) 473-7383.
