Media & Public Relations

HARRISBURG, PA (09/15/2009)(readMedia)-- As part of National Child Passenger Safety Week, Sept. 12-18, Pennsylvania State Police Troop T, the unit responsible for patrolling the Pennsylvania Turnpike, is offering free passenger safety seat checkups at select turnpike rest stops. The checkups are designed to teach parents the proper installation and use of child safety seats. Troop T will hold two events at the following locations:

Sept. 16
Lawn Service Plaza at milepost 259
(Dauphin County, serving westbound turnpike traffic)
8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Sept. 17
New Stanton Service Plaza at milepost 78
(Westmoreland County, serving westbound turnpike traffic)
8 a.m.-4 p.m.

State Police Cpl. Richard Dean, public information officer for Troop T, says Pennsylvania law requires that children under 4 years of age be securely fastened in an approved child passenger restraint seat while traveling in a vehicle. Children ages 4 to 8 must use a booster seat if they are no longer in a car seat.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration research, the lives of more than 8,300 children under age 5 have been saved by properly using child restraints during the past 30 years. Research shows that child restraints provide the best protection for all children up to age 8; after age 8 seat belts provide the best protection.

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