CARY, NC - Beginning this weekend, the Town of Cary Police Department will join law enforcement agencies in enforcing new, statewide child restraint laws designed to help protect the young and small from injury in a crash.  Effective January 1, 2005, North Carolina law will require that all motor vehicle passengers younger than age 8 or weighing less than 80 pounds be properly secured in a child restraint device appropriate for their height and weight.

Child restraint violations carry a fine of up to $25, $100 in court costs, and two driver's license points.  Child restraint violations are always the responsibility of the driver, even if a child's parent is present elsewhere in the vehicle.  

Previously, children were required to be secured in child restrain devices until their 5th birthday or a weight of 40 pounds.  However, children who have already met this requirement must now use a weight appropriate booster seat until age 8 or 80 pounds.  Once a child reaches his or her 8th birthday or 80 pounds, he or she may be restrained by a "properly fitted" seat belt--a belt that is worn with the shoulder belt across the collar bone and chest and the lap belt low and snug across the hips, just like an adult.

"The back seat is generally the safest place for a child," said Officer Steve Wilkins of Cary's Traffic Unit.  "It's best to keep children in the back seat until they are at least 12 years old."

Rear facing child restraint should never be placed in front of an active front seat airbag system.  

In its continuing commitment to child safety, the Town of Cary Police Department offers a free child seat safety clinic each Wednesday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Cary Fire Station #2 near the intersection of Southeast Maynard Road. and Cary Towne Boulevard.  For more information, call the Cary Police Department's Traffic Safety Team at (919) 319-4521 or visit www.ncdot.org/secretary/GHSP.

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PRIMARY CONTACTS:
Officer Steve Wilkins, Cary Police Traffic Safety Team, (919) 469-4019
Captain Kenny Williams, Field Operations, (919) 469-4088
Bill Coleman, Town Manager, (919) 469-4002
Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, (919) 460-4951