[14814] in APO-L
Re: Car seats
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Amick Robert)
Fri Aug 9 13:11:46 1996
Date: Fri, 9 Aug 1996 11:09:40 -0600
Reply-To: Amick Robert <amick@spot.Colorado.EDU>
From: Amick Robert <amick@spot.Colorado.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
In-Reply-To: <199608070253.UAA11405@spot.Colorado.EDU>
In most states, transporting infants and small children in approved safety
car seats is required by law. Depending on their age and physical
size/weight, infants generally have to be in the back seat and
facing backwards to be properly attached to the car's seat belt harness
system. Unfortunately, there are still a number of people who ignore,
flaunt, or simply don't know that this is a law. The penalty paid by the
parents in the loss or disabling injury of a child is far worse and
on-going than any legal penalty could ever be; however the little
folks who cannot protect themselves from their parent's ignorance, pay the
ultimate price.
So the point about correcting such ignorance when it is observed is
highly important.
More recently, most states have required that older children must wear
seat belts regardless of where they are seated in the vehicle; previously,
those in the back seat were not required to wear seat belts.
Unfortunately, when laws are passed, little thought is given to the need
to educate the public on why the laws are important and how to implement
them to benefit those who are to be "protected" by the law. This often
falls to volunteer organizations such as APO to educate others about such
important topics. Here is yet another opportunity for the National
Service Day emphasis on Personal Safety and Disaster Preparedness, to
promote the correct use of child car seats.
Organizations which can provide helpful information include the National
Safety Council, US Dept of Transportation, State Health and Emergency
Medical Services Divisions, Law Enforcement agencies, et al.
Bob Amick, Advisory Board Chair, Gamma Theta Chapter,
University of Colorado at Boulder
