Traffic Safety Digest  
Winter 2003
 
Project Characteristics
Perm. fitting station support
Self-sufficiency

Program Areas
Child Passenger Safety

Type of Jurisdiction
State

Targeted Population
State and local public safety agencies

Jurisdiction Size
3,409,549

Funding
Section 402: $54,898

Contact
Stephen Livingston
DOT/Div. of Hwy. Safety
PO Box 317546
2800 Berlin Tpk.
Newington, CT 06131-7546
(860) 594-2364
(860) 594-2374 fax
stephen.livington@po.state.ct.us

Digest Listing


     

CONNECTICUT
Fitting Station Workshop


PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

In Connecticut, between 1996 and 2001, there were 51 children under the age of four in vehicles involved in fatal crashes. Six of these children suffered fatal injuries. Among those killed, 67 percent were not in a child seat. Research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that child safety seats are found to reduce fatal injury by 71 percent for infants (less than 1 year old) and by 54 percent for toddlers (1-4 years old) in passenger cars.

Ensuring that child passenger safety seats are correctly installed is a continual process because of constantly changing factors (such as families increasing in size or upgrading vehicles). Additionally, conducting individual child passenger safety clinics is expensive, confusing to the general public because the locations change, and are subject to cancellation due to adverse weather conditions.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The ultimate goals and objectives of the Fitting Station Workshop are to:

  • Ensure that every child safety seat is secured correctly;
  • Ensure that the child safety seat device is correct for the size and weight of the child, and is compatible with the vehicle that it is installed in;     
  • Reduce the number and severity of injuries sustained in traffic crashes (by increasing correct usage of child safety devices and increasing adult belt use);
  • Reinforce law enforcement’s commitment to the occupant protection area; and
  • Provide readily available, cost effective child safety seat inspection services throughout the State.

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

The Division of Highway Safety developed the following strategies and activities for the Fitting Station Workshops:

  • Collaborated with chief child passenger safety (CPS) instructors to develop a listing of necessary non-consumable materials needed to enhance sustained operations of permanent fitting station(s).

  • Sent a letter to all certified CPS technicians to determine which technicians were affiliated with a child passenger seat “fitting station”. A fitting station was defined as:  a designated permanent location (i.e. law enforcement facility) where child passenger safety seats can be inspected by certified technicians to ensure proper installation during designated times of operation and/or by appointment, by calling a publicized telephone number.

  • Determined if a fitting station could be included on the CT Child Safety Seat InfoLine.

  • Ordered equipment, as approved.                       

  • Developed a three-hour workshop session to review materials being distributed and other pertinent information (such as forms, recall list distribution, etc.).

  • Conducted training and distributed materials.

  • Maintained a monthly activity log to track project activities.

RESULTS

During 2001, approximately 35 seats (on average) were inspected at each of the 66 permanent fitting station sites each month. The crash statistics for the period after the program became operational are not currently available.

    

 
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