The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Safe Journey Program is partnering with Infiniti Chattanooga to host a free, car seat and booster seat safety check just in time for back-to-school, held Saturday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
During this time, parents and caregivers will be able to stop by the Infiniti Chattanooga Dealership and have the placement and installation of their child’s car seat and/or booster seat inspected by a HCSO certified car seat technician.
The HCSO Safe Journey Program addresses occupant protection and the correct use of child passenger safety devices (car seats) through public and professional education and awareness. The staff of Safe Journey conducts weekly car seat checkpoints in Hamilton County and surrounding areas. More information can be found by visiting the HCSO website at http://www.hcsheriff.gov/uniform_services/safe_journey.php.
Motor vehicle crashes continue to be the leading cause of unintentional injury and death to children under the age of 14. Child restraints (car seats) reduce the risk of death in passenger cars by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers. Booster seats reduce the risk of injury by 59 percent compared to seat belts alone.
Statically, three out of four car seats in Hamilton County are installed incorrectly.
The HCSO Safe Journey Program is funded through a grant from the Tennessee Highway Safety Office, and administered through the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.