COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) -
Startling accident
statistics are just one of many reasons officials with the South Carolina
Department of Public Safety are on a mission this week to get all children
buckled up the right way.
Last year alone, 9,300 children were injured
and nine children under the age of six were killed in car crashes across the
state. SCDPS officials believe many of those tragedies could have been avoided
if children were buckled up properly.
In conjunction with National Child Passenger
Safety Week, DPS officials and South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) troopers
will be across the state to check the safety of your child's car seat. You may
see some new billboards and also hear some reminders that it doesn't matter how
far your drive is, having your children restrained correctly is crucial.
"A lot of people get the mentality that,
‘Hey, I'm only going to the store two miles down the road'," said Lance
Corporal Brent Kelly with SCHP. "Most of our fatalities in South Carolina
happen within five miles of the residence that they live at. Just because
you're going around the block to the store to get milk or whatever, don't think
it's okay just to put your child in the back seat not restrained," added Kelly.
Lance Cpl. Kelly says whether it's not taking
the time, or just not knowing the law. This week officials will be making stops
around the state to help.
"Nine times out of 10, if you are properly
restrained [and] if your child is properly restrained, they will survive a
crash," said Kelly.
That's something that Columbia mom Jessica
Rucker says she always keeps in mind. "They call it an accident for a reason.
You can't predict what's going to happen in a car and it's important for them
to stay safe," said Rucker.
On Monday, Rucker, who is expecting her third
child soon, was shopping with her four year-old daughter, two year-old son and
her mom for another car seat. She says because her children are close in age,
she hasn't been able to pass any of the seats along. She'll soon have three
different car seat sizes in her car. "We are actually going to be exploring the
option of just using the convertible seat that won't come out [of the car] from
birth on up with the baby," said Rucker.
Authorities say whatever seat you find that
works best for your family, make sure it matches state law from newborn to six
years-old and sometimes older. "The law states once
they turn they don't necessarily have to be in a child restraint seat, but we
recommend until they get to that certain height keep them in it, just for
safety purposes," said Lance Cpl. Kelly.
Kelly says regardless of age, a
child is most likely ready to move out of a booster seat when they are at least
4'9'' tall and at least 80 pounds.
How do you know if you have the right seat
for your child? BuckleupSC.com has the list of state laws and what the
requirements are for each age group. (http://www.buckleupsc.com/safety_seat_law.asp)
Authorities say restraining your child
properly is not only a potential life saver, but if you don't- it may also cost
you financially. "The fine for child restraint violation is 150 dollars,"
said Lance Cpl. Kelly. "As far as I know, that is a fine that ourselves and
magistrates cannot reduce or anything. You come to court, and we're not going
to be able to help you with it."
SCDPS says Highway Patrol issued 5,165
citations for child restraint violations last year. As of early September,
troopers have already written nearly 4,000 tickets in 2012.
Officials say as they try to get the safety
message out this week, they want you to come out to child safety seat check
events they are having around the state. SCDPS will be in Columbia on
Wednesday, September 19th from 4p.m. until 7p.m. at Palmetto Health
Children's Hospital (7 Richland Medical Park).
If you miss Wednesday's event, Lance Cpl.
Kelly says there are Certified Safety Seat Technicians at SCHP headquarters on
Shop Road. He says you'll also find certified technicians statewide at many
local police and fire departments.
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