Jefferson City police participate in Child Passenger Safety week

On Monday, the Jefferson City police announced they would be joining other statewide law enforcement agencies for Child Passenger Safety Week.

The enforcement campaign began Sunday and will end Saturday.

Jefferson City Sergeant Doug Ruediger, traffic unit supervisor, says, “The effort is targeted at reducing serious injuries and fatalities to children involved in crashes and to increase compliance with Missouri’s child safety seat laws.”

Police say Missouri law requires all children younger than 8 to be in a appropriate child safety seat. If the child is at least 80 pounds and at least 4’9″ tall, he or she can be placed in a secured seat belt.

Police said motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of our children.

Booster seats reduce the risk of serious injury by almost half for children 4-8 years old when compared to using a seat belt, according to police.

Rudeiger also says, “Continuous child safety seat and safety belt use is the single, most effective way to protect children and adults and reduce serious injuries and fatalities in motor vehicle crashes.”

For more information on Missouri seat belt usage, click here.