Editor's Note: This part six of a seven-part series of articles about traffic enforcement and regulations at Fort Riley.
Proper use of child restraint systems and seat belts are safety concerns the Fort Riley Police Department addresses on post. Seat belts and car seats both protect occupants in the event of an accident.
Lt. Paul Davis, FRPD traffic supervisor, said seat belt use decreases the risk of injury or death if occupants in a vehicle are involved in an accident.
"Cars have a number of safety measures," Davis said. "When you choose not to use one of those safety measures, you increase your own chance at being seriously injured as well as others in the vehicle."
According to the National Occupant Protection Use Survey by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seat belts, when used, reduce the risk of a fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants by 45 percent.
In 2012, there were more than 21,000 passenger vehicles occupants who died in motor vehicle traffic crashes. About 52 percent of those occupants were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. "Seat belts reduce injuries and protect you in an accident," Davis said.
In 2013, seat belt use was at 87 percent for all occupants of a vehicle. This was statistically unchanged from the previous year.
Davis said seatbelt use is important to enforce, but at Fort Riley, incorrect child restraints are more commonly noticed by law enforcement. He added while adults choose not to use their seat belts, children don't have a choice to protect themselves. Parents must make the decision to buckle their children in a child restraint system.
The police department partners with the Fort Riley Fire Department to ensure safe car seat practices.
"Child safety seats and booster seats save lives," said Rich Watson, health and safety officer, Directorate of Emergency Services. "They offer the absolute best protection for children in the event of a crash."
In 2012, an estimated 284 lives among children 5 years old and under were saved, according to the NHTSA. Of these, 265 were associated with the use of a child safety seat and 18 with the use of seat belts.
Parents can bring child safety seats to any installation fire station for a safety inspection.
Watson said if a technician isn't on duty at that time, the firefighters will help find one at another station. There are eight safety seat technicians on staff at Fort Riley.
Fore more information about car seat safety, call 785-240-3713 or 785-240-6241 for a car seat check appointment.
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