January 15, 2011

CHP and DMV team up for child safety

Will conduct monthly safety inspections

Eureka Times Standard

EUREKA, Calif. — The California Highway Patrol has teamed up with the Department of Motor Vehicles and With Child Doula Services to conduct monthly child passenger safety seat inspections.

The CHP already has a car seat technician at the Eureka DMV office on the second Tuesday of each month from noon until 4 p.m.

Starting Jan. 27, the service will also be available at the With Child Doula Services, 3855 Rohnerville Road in Fortuna, on the fourth Thursday of each month from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. A schedule of the times and dates will be posted in the lobby.

"We want to reduce child injury and death statewide by conducting free monthly child passenger safety seat inspections," said CHP Officer Paul Dahlen.

Dahlen said, "90 percent of the car seats I inspect are not properly installed. Improper installation could cause the child to be ejected from the vehicle during a crash, increasing their chances of being severely injured or even killed. While conducting these monthly inspections, my focus will be on education and not enforcement. It's all about saving lives."

Current law requires that all children must be secured in an appropriate child passenger restraint (car or booster seat) until they are at least 6 years old or weigh at least 60 pounds. The fine for violating this law can be as high as $435 and adds a point to an individual's driving record.

To receive help installing a car or booster seat, call 822-5981 Monday through Friday to make an appointment with the Humboldt Area CHP office in Arcata. To report unrestrained children, call 911 or 1-800-TELL-CHP.