DOT’s Car Seat Inspection Program
A black BMW pulls outside the main door of 672 West 158th Street Manhattan. “Hi, I booked an appointment for car seat inspection,” said 39-year-old, Tsigie White inquires in the office of Department of Transportation (DOT). “Can you please check if I have the child seat buckled alright? My baby is due Monday,” she said. White is having her first baby next week and anxious about his safety. “My husband set up our child’s seat in the back but it seems a bit loose. I want a trained hand to look at it,” she tells the DOT technician on site, who follows her out to her car.
According to crash stats by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 55 lives could have been saved in New York City in 2015 if proper child restraints had been used in children of five and older. September 18–24 is NHTSA Child Safety Passenger Week, which highlights the use of seat belts and proper installation of car seats. According to NHTSA’s 2015 survey on booster seats, 37.4 percent of children in United States are not being properly restrained.
“In four out of five cars on average a child seat is not installed correctly” said Renso Vidal, a technician at DOT, trained in child car seat instalment. According Vidal, most of the times the seat is either too loose or not attached to the vehicle.
“If parents would only read the manual they can do it too.” he said
According to DOT, the inspection program has been running for the past sixteen years. 13 trained technicians manage these inspections throughout New York City.
“So far this year no car related deaths have been reported in New York City for passengers of age bracket five to seventeen,” said Alana Morales, Assistant Press Secretary DOT.
Vidal says that in event of a car crash, the straps despite of appearing tight can become loose making a child prone to a hit. “You have to pull the straps to the max and the clip has to be on top, directly over the chest.” said Vidal.
“It’s my first born and I’m nervous, excited, worried. All these things,” said White, as the technician –showed her how to strap a child seat in a taxi or Uber.
“The life of a child car seat is six to seven years only. It should be replaced after that.” said Vidal.
Safety remains the concern nationwide. NHTSA along with DOT on Wednesday announced Road to Zero Coalition to end fatalities on road in the next 30 years. “Our vision is simple-zero fatalities on our roads,” U.S Transportation Secretary Anthony Fox, said in a press statement.
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