Child restraint use in vehicles only 69% in CNMI

The use of child restraints in vehicles is only at 69.10 percent in 2010, lower by 13.9 percent compared with the usage rate of 83 percent in 2009, based on surveys that the government conducted.

Department of Public Safety officials disclosed this during yesterday’s signing of a proclamation declaring Sept. 18 to 24 “Child Passenger Safety Week” and Sept. 24 “CNMI Seat Check Saturday.”

Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos and DPS commissioner Ray Mafnas, urged the community to always use child restraints all the time, regardless of the distance of travel.

“I urge everyone to help reduce injuries and the tragic loss of life by buckling up themselves and every child on every trip, every time,” Inos said during the proclamation signing on Capital Hill yesterday morning.

Research shows car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for children younger than 1 year, and by 54 percent for children 1 to 4 years old, Inos said in his proclamation.

“We know that child safety seats help save lives and reduce injuries. We also know that they are most effective when installed and used correctly. Sadly, nearly three out of four child safety seats are not used properly. Starting now, working together, we must join forced to prevent these deaths and injuries,” the lieutenant governor added.

During the Child Passenger Week, there will be hundreds of free child safety seat inspection stations set up across the country, including the CNMI.

DPS alone will have certified child passenger safety technicians that will provide free onsite child safety inspections at various times and locations on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

The goal is to educate parents and caregivers about best practice when traveling with children from birth through age 12 and proper installation and use of child safety seats.

In the U.S., there was an average of two children age 12 and younger killed in 2009, and an average of 340 were injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes as occupants of passenger vehicles.

Also nationwide, for children ages 1 through 12, it is the leading cause of death. Authorities said it is hard to overstate the toll this takes on families, but together the community can put an end to this tragedy.

In all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the territories including the CNMI, there are laws requiring the use of child safety seats and seat belts for children traveling in motor vehicles. These laws were enacted because of the tremendous safety benefits they provide.