The Occupant Protection (OP) Program aims to reduce risks of crash injuries and fatalities through preventive means. In the USVI, car safety restraints are required for all occupants – front seat and back, old and young. The correct restraint depends on the person’s age, weight, height, and development. According to the VI Code, Chapter 20, Section 466, restraints are to be used as follows:
- The driver and all passengers must be appropriately restrained
- Infants – Passengers up to one year of age or at least 20 lbs. must be rear facing and placed in the outboard rear or center rear position of the motor vehicle;
- Toddlers – Passengers one to five years of age and at least 40 lbs. shall use a child restraint system that meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards set forth in 49 C.F.R. 571.243;
- Children – Booster Seats must be used with children who have outgrown a forward-facing child car seat based on manufacturers’ specifications, or for children between 40-80 lbs. less than 8 years of age and less than 4 ft. 9 in. tall;
- Tweens and teens – Children 13 and under shall always ride in the rear seat of vehicles equipped with airbags; and
Each year, the VI Office of Highway Safety’s Occupant Protection (OP) Program engages agencies, organizations, and businesses as partners who can assist in community education, outreach, and enforcement. Through this village approach, the VIOHS extends its reach in a collaborative effort to address and assist the following specific data-identified at-risk groups:
- Motorists with young children
- Teenage drivers
- Nighttime drivers
Getting Involved
What You Can Do with Your Family
Making the commitment to correctly and consistently wear a seat belt is an easy habit to form. Make wearing a seat belt a non-negotiable requirement for everyone who rides in your vehicle. Be sure to wear your safety belt every trip, every day, and every time.
Request a Presentation
The Occupant Protection Planner/Coordinator would like to share more information with you and your team. Please contact the Office of Highway Safety for an informative, interactive presentation on seat belts or car safety seats today. You can call the office at 340-772-3025 or 340-473-7383. Together, we can spread this safety message and save lives!
Buckle Up, VI! Every trip. Everyone. Every time!