Department of Motor Vehicles

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, March 13, 2020

Contacts:
Lisa Koumjian
[email protected]

Tim O’Brien
[email protected]

NEW YORK STATE DMV AND THE GOVERNOR’S TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE ANNOUNCE FREE CHILD SEAT INSPECTIONS AND ASSISTANCE IN SUFFOLK COUNTY

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 reminded parents and caregivers in Suffolk County that free car seat inspections by certified child passenger safety technicians are available tomorrow, March 14, and on Sunday, March 22. The events are part of a yearlong safety initiative in which state and local law enforcement agencies, together with various community safety partners, offer free inspections.

DMV Commissioner and GTSC Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder said, “Child passenger safety seat checks are free of charge, convenient and keep thousands of New York’s children safe every year. The importance of these events cannot be overstated. I encourage parents and caregivers to take the time to ensure their children’s safety seats are the right fit and are installed properly. It could save your child’s life.”

Both events will be at the New York State Police Farmingdale, 7140 Republic Airport, East Farmingdale, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. For more information, contact Sergeant James Walters at (631) 756-3389 or [email protected].

The car seat inspection events aim to ensure all parents and caregivers understand how to choose an appropriate seat for the child’s age and size and how to install the seat correctly. Trained technicians will use the model of “Learn, Practice, and Explain” to educate caregivers 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. 

If you cannot attend the free car seat check events tomorrow and on March 22, you can make an appointment with a child seat inspection site near you. Find more information on upcoming car seat check events 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 DMV on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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

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