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Survey: Nearly half of NMI kids unsafely transported
Nearly half of the children in the CNMI are not being transported in cars in a safe manner, according to a child restraint use survey of the Department of Public Safety.
The survey shows that restraint usage rate was at 64.52 percent in 2015. That rate dropped to 57.17 percent in 2016.
A pre-survey for 2017 shows that usage rate increased to 65.76 percent.
The survey results were among the facts revealed at yesterday’s proclamation signing declaring Sept. 17 to 23 as Child Passenger Safety Week and Sept. 23 as National Seat Check Saturday. The Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services joined DPS at the ceremony held at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.
Gov. Ralph Torres and Lt. Gov Victor B. Hocog signed the proclamation.
According to the proclamation, the CNMI, with an approximate population of just 56,000, averages over 2,000 car crashes annually.
An unrestrained 1-year-old child died from an automobile crash in 2009. In 2014, an unrestrained 2-year-old child sustained serious injuries from a crash.
Over the past five years, more than 100 unrestrained children sustained injuries from automobile crashes, according to DPS.
During Child Passenger Safety Week, car seat safety checks will be held across the country.
