Patrol reminds drivers to properly secure safety seats

COLUMBUS — The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reminding motorists of ways to keep their children safe on our roadways. Child Passenger Safety Week runs Sept. 20 through Sept. 26. The week is designated to make sure chilren are in the correct car seat, that it’s properly installed and used and that it’s registered with its manufacturer to ensure you receive important safety updates.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, from 2017 to 2019 there were 1,500 unbelted children under age 13 killed or seriously injured in a vehicle where safety equipment was available.

During the last three years, Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton and Montgomery counties each recorded more than 100 unbelted fatalities and injuries.

This accounts for 56% of all unbelted children killed or injured in traffic crashes in Ohio.

“Child Passenger Safety Week is a good time to remind Ohioans that every time your family hits the road, everyone in the car needs to be properly buckled, including the younger passengers,” said Gov. Mike DeWine.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 59% of car seats are misused. Also, the risks of a fatality or injury are exponentially higher for children who are not buckled in the correct car seat for their age and size.

“Ensuring the safety seat is installed correctly is the best way to keep your child safe in a car,” said Col. Richard S. Fambro, Patrol superintendent. “It is also important to transition from one type of car seat to another as your child grows.”

Always remember to register child car seats and booster seats with the manufacturer so you can be notified in the event of a recall.