Public Health gets 2 grants for bike, car seat safety

OROVILLE >> Butte County Public Health has been awarded nearly $300,000 through two one-year grants from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. One grant is for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Program and the other is for the Child Safety Seat Education Program.

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Program received a grant for $97,684 to fund activities to promote bicycle and pedestrian safety in the county, according to a news release from the county. The funds will support safety activities including participation in “open streets” events that encourage biking and walking and training courses that educate youth on safe riding behaviors. The program also encompasses helmet fitting inspections, helmet distribution, community and school educational presentations and community bike rides among other activities.

In Butte County, between 2015-2020, 757 bicycle and pedestrian crashes were reported, resulting in 65 deaths and 740 injuries. In 2018, the county was ranked 6th worst out of the 58 California counties for the number of bicyclists of any age killed or injured in a crash and 9th worst for the number who were younger than 15. Additionally, while California law mandates bicyclists under 18 to wear a helmet at all times, helmet use is low. For example, in a recent observation conducted near downtown Chico, only about 30 percent of youth and adult bicyclists wore a helmet, according to a BCPH press release.

To learn more about the BCPH Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Program and events visit www.buttecounty.net/ph/Programs/ InjuryPrevention/PedestrianBikeSafety.

The Child Passenger Safety Seat Education Program received a grant for $192,750. The funds will support outreach and activities including one-onone appointments to inspect caregivers’ car seats; child safety seat inspection events and education classes; child safety seats at no-cost to families in need following education classes; and Child Passenger Safety Technician certification and recertification courses.

Butte County 2020 data shows there were 59 motor vehicle crashes involving 92 children 12-years-old or younger. Approximately 3 percent of children under the age of 8 involved in crashes were not restrained at all. Two crash related deaths were reported. Preliminary 2021 data shows the same trend of injury and death in children with similar rates to 2020 data. Based on inspections done by BCPH Child Passenger Safety Technicians, approximately 80 to 90 percent of car and booster seats are used incorrectly in Butte County, according to a BCPH press release.

BCPH encourages parents and caregivers to take advantage of the grant funded services to ensure child passenger safety. To locate a car seat fitting inspection station or to register for a car seat class, please visit the BCPH Child Passenger Safety at www.buttecounty.net/ph/ Programs/ChildPassengerSafety or call 1-800-3392941.