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SOME IMPORTANT FACTS THAT YOU SHOULD BE
AWARE OF!
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Infants |
Toddlers |
Young Children |
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Weight |
Up to 20-22 lbs |
20-40 lbs |
Over 40 & up to 80 lbs Height under 4'9" |
Type of Seat |
Infant seat or rear-facing convertible |
Convertible/Forward-facing |
Belt-positioning booster seat |
Age |
Birth to 1 year |
1-5 years |
5 years and over (and children under 5 who weigh over 40lbs) |
A child is able to use an adult safety belt when he or she is able to sit all the way back against the seat with knees bent at the edge of the seat and when the child is over 80 pounds and 4'9" or taller.
The shoulder belt should be able to rest comfortably across the shoulder and chest not at neck or throat. The lap belt should fit securely, low and snug on the hips.
Booster seats put kids in the proper position to safely use their adult safety belt. Please see chart above for guidance.
* Children under 12 should always ride in the back seat. Airbags can seriously injure or kill a child.
* Extremely Important: Never place a rear-facing infant seat in front of an airbag.
* Never place a shoulder belt behind a child's back or under the arm!
Set a good example: 70% of children whose parents do not buckle up will not buckle up when they become adults. Wear your safety belt every time! The Massachusetts Safety Belt Law requires everyone to buckle up.
* Any object in the car can become a projectile in a crash. If you have a trunk, use it to store loose items.
* Learn to position your child's seat by
reviewing the directions from the seat manufacturer and your vehicle's owner's
manual.
* Children under 5 years old and weighing less than
40 pounds must ride in a child safety seat. Children under 5 weighing
more than 40 pounds must ride in a booster seat. Please see chart
above for guidance.
* All children 5 and older and weighing
more than 40 pounds must wear safety belts. A booster seat is recommended to
ensure that the safety belts fits properly. Please see chart
above for guidance.
* A police officer can stop your vehicle if a chilnsud 12 or under is not properly restrained.
Buckle Up!Nobody plans a car crash-but we can plan to prevent them.
Staying within speed limits, not driving if impaired by drugs or alcohol, and always
wearing your safety belt can go a long way towards keeping you safer on the roads. What happens in a car crash? |
| * Vehicle Collision: The car hits a
tree, pole, or another vehicle. * Human Collision: The car stops, but anyone unbelted keeps moving. Your face hits the windshield or steering wheel; your ribcage hits the dashboard. Without your safety belt, you could be thrown from the vehicle. * Internal Collision: When you stop, your internal organs keep moving. Your brain can crash into your skull, and your heart, lungs, and kidneys can smash into each other or bone. It's the internal collision that leads to serious injury and death. Safety belts increase your chances of avoiding death or serious injury in a crash by up to 50%.* Think you can "brace yourself" in a
crash? At just 35 mph, a 130 pound adult generates a force of 3,600 pounds. * Just going to the store? Wear your safety belt - 80% of traffic fatalities occur within 25 miles of home and at speeds under 40 miles an hour. * Airbags inflate at up to 200 mph and can seriously injure unbelted drivers and passengers. * Safety belts prevent you from being knocked unconscious in a crash, improving your chances to escape and help other passengers. Massachusetts law requires all drivers and passengers to buckle up.. SpeedOne-third of fatal crashes in Massachusetts are speed-related.The faster you drive, the less time you have to avoid a crash. Speeding can really impact your wallet. The fine for driving 20 miles over the speed limit is a minimum of $175, plus a surcharge on your car insurance for up to six years. * Crash severity increases with vehicle speed. An impact at 35 mph is one-third more violent than one at 30 mph. * Use common sense, even when you're in a hurry to get somewhere. Allow yourself a little extra time. AlcoholOne-half of fatal crashes in Massachusetts are alcohol-related.The legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit in Massachusetts is .08 (0.2) for under 21). Studies have shown that with a BAC of .08, nearly all drivers are significantly impaired, regardless of their gender or size. This is long before most people "feel drunk". Prescription and illegal drugs also impair driving abilities. A first-time DUI charge means:* Your car will be towed and you will be taken to the police station. * Whether you take a breathalyzer test or not, your license will be suspended. * You will have to be bailed out of jail. * If convicted, fines and legal fees will cost at least $7,317.
Give your safety a second thought.* Be courteous - always use your signals and keep a reasonable distance behind the vehicle in front of you. * Ignore aggressive drivers, and continue to drive courteously. Call the police, if necessary. On a cell phone, dial *SP. * Keep your eyes on the road - distracted driving is a factor in nearly half of all crashes. * Don't drive when you're sleepy. Drowsy drivers are as dangerous as impaired drivers. |
What happens in a car crash?
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| 1. Vehicle Collision: The car
hits a tree, pole, or another vehicle. 2. Human Collision: The car stops, but anyone unbelted keeps moving. Your face hits the windshield or steering wheel; your ribcage hits the dashboard. Without your safety belt, you could be thrown from the vehicle. 3. Internal Collision: When you stop, your internal organs keep moving. Your brain can crash into your skull, and your heart, lungs, and kidneys can smash into each other or bone. It's the internal collision that leads to serious injury and death. Safety belts increase your chances of avoiding death or serious injury in a crash by up to 50%.* Think you can "brace
yourself" in a crash? At just 35 mph, a 130 pound adult generates a force of
3,600 pounds. * Just going to the store? Wear your safety belt - 80% of traffic fatalities occur within 25 miles of home and at speeds under 40 miles an hour. * Airbags inflate at up to 200 mph and can seriously injure unbelted drivers and passengers. * Safety belts prevent you from being knocked unconscious in a crash, improving your chances to escape and help other passengers. |
