U.S. Virgin Islands – The Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD)/Office of Highway Safety (VIOHS) joins safety advocates across the nation to highlight safe transportation practices for child passengers. Although safety for child passengers is a daily priority, Child Passenger Safety Week – September 20-26, 2026 – illuminates the issue to increase awareness for motorists with children and to improve crash outcomes for young riders. In the territory, car and booster seats are required for children under age 8 or shorter than 4’9”.
The week kicked off with a free car seat safety check event held on September 19th at the Edith Williams Alternative Academy (EWAA) on St. Thomas. Every car seat checked was found to have usage errors that could result in harm to a child crash victim. “Children benefit when caregivers take a proactive approach to their safety,” offered VIOHS Assistant Director Denise L. Gomes. “Each of these well-intentioned caregivers thought that their child was riding safely. The time to make corrections is before a crash.” A similar event will take place on Saturday, September 26th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Wendy’s parking lot on St. Croix.
The agency planned several related community engagement opportunities throughout the week. For more information on child passenger safety or to schedule a car seat safety inspection, contact the Virgin Islands Office of Highway Safety through VIOHS Director Daphne O’Neal at daphne.oneal@vipd.vi.gov, or Ms. Gomes, at denise.gomes@vipd.vi.gov, or via telephone at (340) 712-6073.
