Moms Talk: Traffic Safety

Moms Talk is part of a Vienna Patch initiative to reach out to moms, parents and families in Vienna.

Grab a cup of coffee and settle in as we start the conversation today about something that's been in national news this week: traffic safety and the "Click It Or Ticket" campaign.

From :

Have you noticed more police officers stopping motor vehicles this week? That’s because May 23 to June 5 is the “Click It or Ticket” national highway safety campaign. Across the country, police departments are stepping up enforcement of seat belt and child safety seat laws.

Why now? Memorial Day Weekend begins what traffic safety advocates call “the 100 deadly days of summer” (through Labor Day Weekend). There are lots of reasons why summertime is more dangerous on our roads and highways: children are out of school, there are more pedestrians and bicyclists out in nice weather, holiday gatherings such as Fourth of July often involve alcohol, vacationers drive on unfamiliar roads, teenagers drive more at night, etc.

Just this week in Vienna,

Do You Know the Law?

In the Commonwealth of Virginia, all children age seven and under are required to be in a child safety seat. There are no height or weight restrictions; the Virginia law is based solely on age. Children ages 4 to 8 can use an adult seat belt if they have an exemption from a physician (usually if they are too big to comfortably fit in a safety seat, or if they wear a bulky medical device that makes a car seat impractical).

Rear-facing seats are required for infants and recommended for toddlers up to age two. Check your seat for weight and height limits. All children are safer in the back seat, but rear-facing seats especially should be in the back seat if one is available. Rear-facing seats are allowed in the front seat only if the front passenger air bag has been deactivated.

The Virginia Child Restraint Device Law applies to all drivers who transport children, not just parents. Make sure grandparents, babysitters and others who might transport your child have a properly-installed safety seat. The law does not apply to public transportation vehicles, school buses, farm vehicles, or cars manufactured before 1969.

Children ages 8 to 17 must be secured in an adult seat belt. Virginia does not require booster seats for children who have outgrown child safety seats, but they are highly recommended by safety advocates. A booster seat lifts older children up so that the adult seat belt fits them better and provides greater protection. Before your child “graduates” out of a booster seat, he or she should be at least 4’9” tall and able to sit against the back seat with knees bent comfortably over the edge of the seat. Don’t let them nag or cajole you into giving up the booster seat too soon!

Another important law to note: children and teenagers under 16 are not allowed to ride in the cargo area of pick-up trucks, SUVs, etc. There are exemptions for vehicles in parades and farm operations such as hay rides.

The child safety seat law in Virginia is a primary law, which means you can be stopped and ticketed without committing any other violations. The fine is $50 for the first offense, but can go up as high as $500 for subsequent offenses. All fines go into a special fund used to purchase child safety seats for low-income residents.

D.C. laws are very similar to Virginia’s. Maryland requires child safety seats through age eight. If you are taking a driving vacation this summer, be sure to check the resource list below for information on the laws of other states.

Resources at Your Fingertips

 Unsure how to install a child safety seat? Here is a helpful video from the Virginia Department of Health (also available in Spanish).

Not sure if your child safety seat is installed correctly? Go to www.nhtsa.gov and put your zip code in the blue box to find an inspection facility near you. Town of Vienna residents may schedule an inspection appointment with a Vienna Police officer or Car Seat Technician by calling 703-255-6366 (install the seat before you go and they will tell you if it’s done correctly).

Traveling to other states and want to check on the laws? The Governors Highway Safety Association has a chart that covers all the states and territories:

www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/childsafety_laws.html

Can’t afford a child safety seat? Contact the Virginia Department of Health, Division of Injury and Violence Prevention at 800-732-8333 for information on assistance for low-income residents.

Want to check to see if your child safety seat or booster seat has been subject to a recall? Go to www.nhtsa.gov and check the blue box for recent recalls, to look up your particular seat, or to sign up for e-mail notice of future recalls.

Pregnant? Not sure how to adjust your seat or wear your seat belt to protect both you and the baby? Here is an online brochure.

Want to teach your kids about safely sharing the road? The Vienna Police Department is participating in the Eye to Eye campaign, which encourages eye contact between drivers, walkers and pedestrians at intersections and other places where the three share the road. Information is available online.

Looking for a safety speaker for your club or organization? Vienna’s Officer Bill Murray is available to address a wide range of topics. Contact him at 703-255-6396 or by e-mail at wmurray@viennava.gov