New Child Passenger Safety Law Goes Into Effect Oct. 1
25 September 1999
Clinics to Help Families Learn How to Safely use Child Safety Seats;
Donations Sought for Flood Victims
WHAT: CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY CLINICS
WHEN: MONDAY, SEPT. 27 THROUGH THURSDAY, SEPT. 30
WHERE: ASHEVILLE, FAYETTEVILLE, CHARLOTTE, HICKORY, GREENSBORO,
AND RALEIGH (SEE COMPLETE SCHEDULE)
RALEIGH, N.C., -- Governor's Highway Safety Program Director Joe Parker
will join law enforcement officers and health and highway safety advocates
next week to underscore the message that all North Carolina children up to age
16 must be buckled up.
"It's always been the best practice, but effective Oct. 1, it's also the
law," Parker said. "All children up to age 16 will be required to use a
weight-appropriate restraint system -- a safety seat or seat belt -- no matter
where they ride in the car."
In addition, children up to age 5 and less than 40 pounds will be required
to ride in a child restraint system. That restraint must be used in the back
seat of a vehicle with an active passenger-side airbag.
"Since more North Carolina children will be required to ride in safety
seats, it is more important than ever that we help parents and caregivers to
correctly install and safely use them," Parker said.
In North Carolina and across the nation, more than 90 percent of safety
seats inspected at clinics are found to have an installation or use error that
could significantly reduce their effectiveness in a crash, Parker said.
Child passenger safety clinics will be held Monday, Sept. 27, through
Thursday, Sept. 30, at county health departments in Asheville, Fayetteville,
Charlotte, Hickory, Greensboro, and Raleigh (see complete schedule). Families
unable to visit those clinics may obtain child passenger safety information by
calling the UNC Highway Safety Research Center toll free 800-672-4527, or by
calling the GHSP at 919-733-3083.
In addition to helping motorists learn about changes in the child
passenger safety law, the GHSP is encouraging clinic participants to donate
goods for children affected by Hurricane Floyd. "With the law change and the
devastating effects of the storm, it is an especially important time to think
about all North Carolina children and their safety," Parker said.
Items needed include everything from diapers and baby formula to clothing,
toys and household goods.
CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY CLINICS: GHSP Director Joe Parker will visit
several clinics next week prior to the new child passenger safety laws going
into effect on Friday, Oct. 1. Dates and locations include:
Monday, Sept. 27
10 a.m. to 12 noon
Buncombe County Health Department, 35 Woodfin St., Asheville
Contact: Beverly Levinson, 828-250-5042
Tuesday, Sept. 28
3-5 p.m.
Cumberland County Health Department, 227 Fountain Head Lane, Fayetteville
Contact: Cynthia Hodges, 910-860-2277
Wednesday, Sept. 29
10 a.m. to 12 noon
Biddlepoint Care Center, 1801 Rozzells Ferry Road, Charlotte
Contact: Theresa Cruz, 704-355-7098
3-5 p.m.
Catawba County Health Department, 3070 11th Avenue Drive, SE, Hickory
Contact: Jennifer McCracken, 828-345-6959
Thursday, Sept. 30
10 a.m. to 12 noon
Guilford County Health Department, 1100 East Wendover Avenue, Greensboro
Contact: Lynn Beck, 336-333-6667
3-5 p.m.
Wake County Health Department, East Square Medical Arts Plaza, 23
Sunnybrook Road, Raleigh
Contact: Linda Wiandt, 919-350-8992/
