Occupant Protection

While the seat belt use rate in California is 96.21%, this still translates to 878 unrestrained occupants killed in traffic crashes in California for 2021, a 12.2% increase from 2020. Additionally, child passenger safety remains a critical program to ensure children are properly restrained in child safety seats. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 60% of car seats are used incorrectly. Grant programs focus on a variety of activities to educate parents and caregivers on child safety seat laws, including child safety seat check-ups, education classes on using and properly installing the correct car seat, and providing child safety seats to families in need.  Child Passenger Safety Technician trainings and certification courses are also a top priority. Increased enforcement of seat belt laws and educating teens about buckling up are additional countermeasures to encourage vehicle occupants to use seat belts.

OCCUPANT PROTECTION PROGRAM AREA GOALS

  • Increase seat belt compliance.
  • Increase child safety seat usage.
  • Reduce the number of vehicle occupants killed under the age of eight.
  • Reduce the number of vehicle occupants injured under the age of eight.

 

 

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