PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
Each year, more than 1,000 children are seriously
injured in motor vehicle crashes on Mississippi roads. In 1997, only
50 percent of Mississippi's children were restrained in child safety
seats while riding in a motor vehicle, and an estimated 80 percent of
these were improperly restrained. As a result, 27 children died in motor
vehicle crashes during 1997.
Seat belt and child restraint use rates in
Mississippi remain among the lowest in the nation. From 1994 to 1997,
seat belt use by adults averaged 48 percent, and child safety seat use
remained at 50 percent. In 1998, occupant restraint use in Mississippi
increased substantially; from 48 to 58 percent for seat belts, and from
50 to 59 percent for child safety seats. In 1999, child restraint use
increased to 63.2 percent. However, adult seat belt use decreased to
54.5 percent in 1999, and to 50.35 percent in 2000.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
In an effort to increase child safety seat use
by 10 percent statewide, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety
developed the Buckle For Life program. Specific objectives of
the program are to:
- Educate and inform parents of the requirement
to restrain children
- Make child safety restraint use a priority for all Mississippi residents
- Encourage the public to report vehicles observed transporting unrestrained
children
STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
The Buckle For Life program concept was
originally established by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety
in 1995. Beginning in 2000, the program focus was expanded to provide
a statewide citizen reporting system for non-use of safety restraints.
Mississippi residents are encouraged to report the license tag numbers
of vehicles they observe transporting an unrestrained child. Tag numbers
of violators can be reported by calling a toll-free telephone number,
or using a pre-printed Buckle For Life card. Once a violator's
tag number is received, project staff send the registered owner of the
vehicle a letter and educational information on the importance of restraining
children, along with a telephone number for the vehicle owner to call
to ask questions and receive additional information.
The Buckle For Life program distributes educational
materials on child safety restraints to the general public each quarter
at a variety of local events. An annual briefing program on child safety
devices is also conducted for law enforcement officers throughout Mississippi.
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