Police on alert for unbuckled kids

DOWNEY - The Downey Police Department will be on special alert next week for children under 16 who are not properly restrained in their vehicle.The enforcement is part of Special Enforcement Week and Safety Seat Checkup Week taking place March 24-30. The Downey Police Department is participating with the Peace Officers Association of Los Angeles County and SafetyBeltSafe USA. "Motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of deaths and injuries for children and young people," Downey police officials said in a statement. "Based on data provided by the California Highway Patrol, more than 80% of the children under four years of age killed in traffic collisions since 1990 died in survivable crashes. In other words, they would have lived if their parents had properly buckled them up. "Children who are not properly restrained present a serious traffic safety concern. As a result, law enforcement agencies all over Los Angeles County will be making a special effort to watch for children who are not properly restrained and conduct zero tolerance enforcement."

********** Published: March 21, 2013 - Volume 11 - Issue 49