Department of Motor Vehicles

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 28, 2019

Contacts:
Tim O’Brien
[email protected]

NEW YORK STATE DMV AND THE GOVERNOR’S TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE ANNOUNCE FREE CHILD SEAT INSPECTIONS AND ASSISTANCE DURING MARCH

Free Inspections Offered in Broome, Erie, Niagara and Saratoga Counties

Free Inspections by Appointment Offered Year-Round

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) today announced that free child seat inspections are available to parents and caregivers during the month of March in Broome, Erie, Niagara and Saratoga counties. As part of a year-long safety initiative, state and local law enforcement agencies, together with various community safety partners, are offering free inspections by certified child passenger safety technicians.

“As a father and grandfather, I know that our children are our most precious cargo when traveling in a motor vehicle,” said Acting DMV Commissioner and Acting GTSC Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder. “The importance of these child seat check events cannot be overstated. I encourage parents and caregivers to take the time to ensure their children’s safety seats are installed properly. It could save your child’s life.”

This campaign aims to ensure all parents and caregivers are properly trained to choose an appropriate seat for the child’s age and size, and that they know how to properly install the seat in the safest manner. Trained technicians will use the model of “Learn, Practice, and Explain” to educate each caregiver on how to select a child restraint that will fit their child, fit their vehicle and be used correctly every time.

Getting safety information and car seat instructions to parents and caregivers is crucial to saving young lives. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), child safety seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and by 54 percent for toddlers in passenger vehicles. 

The following child safety seat checks are scheduled across the state in March:

CAPITAL REGION

March 8                     Child Safety Seat Check - Saratoga County
4:00 p.m - 7:00 p.m.
Clifton Park Halfmoon EMS, 15 Crossings Blvd. Clifton Park, NY 12065
Agency: New York State Police
Appointment Required
Contact: Trooper Donald Fougere at (518) 783-3258

SOUTHERN TIER

March 30                   Child Safety Seat Check - Broome County
10:00 a.m - 1:00 p.m.
Endicott Fire Department, 1101 Park Street, Endicott, NY 13760
Agency: Broome County Health Department
Contact: Christine Muss at (607) 778-2807

WESTERN NEW YORK

March 2                     Child Safety Seat Check - Niagara County
8:30 a.m - 11:30 a.m.
Mount Saint Mary's Hospital
5300 Military Road, Lewiston, NY 14092
Agency: Catholic Health of Buffalo, SafeKids of Western New York
By Appointment Only
Contact: Health Connections at (716) 447-6205

March 2                     Child Safety Seat Check - Erie County
3:30 p.m - 5:30 p.m.
Catholic Health Administration and Training Center
144 Genesee Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
Agency: Catholic Health of Buffalo, SafeKids of Western New York
By Appointment Only
Contact: Health Connections at (716) 447-6205

If you cannot attend one of the listed free child car seat inspections, you can make an appointment with a child seat inspection site near you. The above schedule may be subject to changes. Find more information on upcoming child safety seat checks near you.  See ratings on all car seats.

In addition to car seat inspections, parents and caregivers can view a series of videos produced by NHSTA on proper installation of rear-facing and forward-facing car seats and booster seats. NHTSA also offers information on registering a child safety seat and finding the right car seat based a child’s age and size.

For more information about DMV, visit dmv.ny.gov, or follow the DMV conversation online at Facebook and Twitter.

For more information about GTSC, visit safeny.ny.gov, or follow the GTSC conversation at Facebook and Twitter.

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