PennDOT observing National Child Passenger Safety Week
In observation of National Child Passenger Safety Week, the state Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is reminding motorists that all children up to 17 years old are required under state law to wear restraints while riding in a vehicle. Children younger than 4 must be restrained in an approved child safety seat, children ages 4 to 7 must be in a booster seat and children 8 to 17 must wear a seatbelt regardless of where they sit in a vehicle, according to PennDOT.
In 2005, two children between the ages of 4 and 7 who were completely unrestrained died in crashes in Pennsylvania, and another 167 children were injured.
In the same year, 891 children under the age of 8 who were not properly restrained in a car seat suffered injuries and 149 children ages 3 and younger were injured in crashes while not in a car seat.
State police at Waynesburg are offering a free child restraint checkup from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Franklin Township fire hall at the corner of Willow Road and Rolling Meadows Road.
Parents can have their child restraints checked for recalls and learn how to property secure child seats. Certified child restraint technicians from the state police will assist with child seat installation.