Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Kimball Police Department community service officer Tammy Rutt, KPD Chief Andy Bremer and Christy Warner of Kimball County Transit strike a pose with Kimball Head Start kids after a discussion about the Child Passenger Safety Law.
Changes in the Nebraska's Child Passenger Safety Law that became effective Jan. 1 were discussed Tuesday, Feb. 12, at Kimball Head Start.
Christy Warner of the Kimball County Transit, Kimball Police Chief Andy Bremer and Tammy Rutt. KPD community service officer, participated in the session.
The new law states that children must ride in rear-facing seat up to age 2 or until they reach the upper weight or height limit allowed by the car seat manufacture.
Children up to age 8 must ride in a correctly installed car seat or booster seat. They also must ride in the back seat, as long as there is a back seat with a seatbelt that is not already occupied by other children under age 8. Youths ages 8 to 18 also must ride secured in a seatbelt or child safety seat.
Bremer said the changes followed an analysis of police reports throughout Nebraska.
"Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children in Nebraska," said Judy Martin, deputy director of public health for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
"As children get older, their risk increases because they're moved from a safety seat to a seatbelt only too soon, or they're allowed to ride in the front seat where an airbag could cause injury.
"That is why it's so important to choose the right seat and know the law to help keep your child safe at every age and every stage."
Bremer offered help.
"Any questions about this new law or your child's current safety seat, please feel free to bring it down to the police department," Bremer said. "We will do our best to answer any questions."
