Press Release - 10-30-2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 30, 2019
Contact:
Lisa Koumjian
[email protected]
Darren Boysen
[email protected]
GTSC REMINDS NEW YORKERS OF NEW REAR-FACING CAR SEAT LAW
New Rear-Facing Car Seat Law Begins November 1, 2019
Free Child Safety Seat Check Events Offered in Chautauqua, Erie, Livingston, Niagara, Oswego, Saratoga, Suffolk, Sullivan, Tompkins and Wayne Counties During November
Free Inspections by Appointment Offered Year-Round in All Counties
The Governor's Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) today reminded New Yorkers that beginning November 1, 2019, a new law will take effect requiring any child under the age of two to be in a rear-facing car seat. If a child outgrows an infant-only seat before reaching their 2nd birthday, it is recommended that a convertible or all-in-one car seat with higher rear-facing height and weight limits be used. These seats should be installed in the rear-facing position until the child reaches the rear-facing weight or height limit set by the car seat manufacturer. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says rear-facing seats are the best option for a young child because they are equipped with a harness and, in a crash, cradle and move with the child to reduce the stress to the child's neck and spine.
“The safety of people, especially children, traveling on our roadways is a top priority for New York,” said Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Commissioner and GTSC Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder. “Parents and caregivers need to make sure children’s restraints are properly installed and fitted correctly. I encourage caregivers to attend one of our many child safety seat check events which are offered for free throughout the year.”
It is common for car seats to be fitted and installed incorrectly. GTSC data for 2019 shows approximately 90 percent of car seats inspected by certified Child Passenger Safety technicians through local fitting stations and events were not fitted correctly or were improperly installed.
According to NHTSA, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13. Properly installed car seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury in a crash by 71 percent for infants and by 54 percent for toddlers. Last year, GTSC and DMV launched an online video series to highlight safety measures to protect children and infants in motor vehicles.
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. Free child seat check events are available to parents and caregivers during the month of November throughout the state.
The following child safety seat check events are scheduled:
CAPITAL REGION
November 19 Saratoga County
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Clifton Park Halfmoon EMS, 15 Crossing Blvd, Clifton Park, NY 12065
Agency: New York State Police
Contact: T/Sergeant Donald Fougere at (518) 783-3258
CENTRAL
November 9 Oswego County
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Ringgold Fire Department, 12 Lake Street, Pulaski, NY 13142
Agency: Oswego County Traffic Safety Board
Contact: Kyle Boeckmann at (315) 343-2344 ext. 22
FINGER LAKES
November 16 Wayne County
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Red Creek High School, 6574 South Street, Red Creek, NY 13143
Agency: Wayne County Sheriff's Office
Contact: Deputy Heather Laws at (315) 946-5786
November 16 Livingston County
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Avon Fire Department, 74 Genesee St., Avon, NY 14414
Agency: Cornell Cooperative Extension of Livingston County
Contact: Jaime Johnson at (585) 991-5420
LONG ISLAND
November 2 Suffolk County
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Amityville Fire Department, 55 W Oak Street, Amityville, NY 11701
Agency: Amityville Fire Department
By Appointment Only
Contact: Angela Brockmann at (631) 648-7100 ext. 219
November 8 Suffolk County
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Holtsville Fire Department, 1025 Waverly Ave, Holtsville, NY 11742
Agency: Holtsville Fire Department
By Appointment Only
Contact: Angela Brockmann at (631) 648-7100 ext. 219
MID-HUDSON
November 8 Sullivan County
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Loch Sheldrake Fire House, 280 RT-52, Loch Sheldrake, NY 12759
Agency: Sullivan County Public Health Services
Contact: Wendy Salonich at (845) 292-5910 X2220
SOUTHERN TIER
November 9 Tompkins County
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Tompkins County Sheriff's Office, 779 Warren Road, Ithaca, NY 14850
Agency: Tompkins County Sheriff's Office
Contact: Deputy Makenzi Alling at (607) 257-1345
WESTERN NEW YORK
November 2 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, Safe Kids of Western New York
By Appointment Only
Contact: Health Connections at (716) 447-6205
November 2 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, Safe Kids of Western New York
By Appointment Only
Contact: Health Connections at (716) 447-6205
November 9 Chautauqua County
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Ashville V.F.D., 5338 Stow Road, Ashville, NY 14710
Agency: Chautauqua County Children's Safety Village
Contact: Patrick Ambrose at (716) 679-5584
November 13 Niagara County
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Niagara County Public Safety Training Facility, 5574 Niagara St. Ext., Lockport, NY 14094
Agency: Niagara County Sheriff's Office
Contact: Cathleen Davis at (716) 438-3464
If you cannot attend one of the listed free child car seat check-up events, you can make an appointment with a child seat fitting station near you. The above schedule may be subject to changes. Find more information on upcoming child safety seat check events near you. See ratings on all car seats.
Learn more about child passenger safety from the GTSC and NHTSA.
For more information about GTSC, visit safeny.ny.gov, or follow the GTSC conversation at Facebook and Twitter.