NMDOT News:
SANTA FE — Sept. 17-23 is National Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week. The campaign focuses on the importance of properly securing children in an appropriate car or booster seat. To support the nationwide event, the New Mexico Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Division (NMDOT TSD) will sponsor Car Seat Inspection Clinics from 9 to 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 23, as part of National Seat Check Saturday.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicle-related injuries remain a leading cause of death for children ages 15 and younger. Using car seats decreases the risk of death by an estimated 71% for rear-facing infants and 54% for older, forward-facing children. Additionally, booster seats reduce the likelihood of significant injury for 4- to 8-year-old children over the use of seat belts alone.
During the event, parents and caregivers will work one-on-one with nationally certified child passenger safety technicians. Technicians will spend approximately 30 minutes per seat educating parents on the proper selection, installation, and use of their car seats and booster seats. Parents and caregivers will also learn important information regarding common errors in car seat safety and will be able to ask questions. If a technician determines a car seat to be recalled, expired, or otherwise unsafe, replacement seats will be available. To be considered for a seat replacement, the child must be present. A $25 seat replacement fee may apply.
To participate in the statewide clinics, parents and caregivers should bring their car seat, car seat manual, vehicle manual, and the child should be present if possible. Car seat inspections are first-come, first-served and no appointments are necessary. For more information, call 505.856.6143.
Statewide car seat clinics are 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at the following locations:
Albuquerque (Northeast):
Kohl’s Parking Lot
6800 Holly Avenue NE
Albuquerque (Southeast):
Bernalillo County Fire Department Station #38
3610 Prince Street SE
Carlsbad:
Carlsbad Mall
2302 W. Pierce Street
Clovis:
The Java Loft
810 E. 21st Street
Deming:
Deming Fire Department
309 S. Gold Avenue
Farmington:
JC Penny Parking Lot, Animas Valey Mall
4601 E. Main Street
Las Cruces:
Doña Ana County Health Services Center
1170 N. Solano Drive
Rio Rancho:
Target Parking Lot
4225 Crestview Drive SE
Santa Fe:
JC Penny Parking Lot, Santa Fe Place Mall
4250 Cerrillos Road
The clinics are a public service provided by the NMDOT TSD and Safer New Mexico Now. There is no charge for this service, however a seat replacement fee of $25 may apply.
For more information about national Child Passenger Safety Week and National Seat Check Saturday, or for other child passenger safety information, call 505.856.6143 or visit www.safernm.org.
For more information about the New Mexico Department of Transportation, visit www.dot.state.nm.us.