Members of the County OPP are building on the success of the previous Car Seat Safety Campaign entitled Boost Me Up, focusing on booster car seats for children aged approximately 4 to 10 years.
The pilot project was initiated in October 2011, when the group visited three schools in Fergus, Rockwood and Mount Forest. At that time police they spoke directly to 283 parents and caregivers about safety and booster seat awareness, and they wish to build upon their success.
OPP Constable Mark Cloes said county officers of the have discovered that children of that age group are at risk as parents and caregivers often take children out of their booster seats too early. That seat raises a child so the adult seat belt is properly and safely positioned over the body. A child needs to be at least 40 pounds to use a booster car seat. According to the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, a child must stay in a car booster seat until reaching age 8, or 80 pounds or they are at least 4 feet 9 inches.
During the education program, there will be members of the county OPP along with the OPP Auxiliary Unit, The Co-Operators Insurance and the East Wellington Community Services attending various community schools. They will be increasing awareness of booster car seats over a three day period by answering questions, providing tips, and undertaking courtesy spot checks outside of the following
People wishing to attend can pick one of the following:
– June 14, Ross R. Mackay Public School, Hillsburgh 3 to 4pm,
– June 15, St. John Brebeuf Catholic School, Erin, 3 to 4pm; and
– June 15, Erin Public School Erin 3 to 4pm.
Police urge parents to learn about booster seats. First, they are the law, with a fine of $240 and two demerit points assigned against a vehicle driver with a child not using one.
They also urge drivers to fasten in the booster car seat even when a child is not in it because during a sudden stop, an empty unbelted booster car seat can be a dangerous projectile in your vehicle.
