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.
