Buffalo Auto Safety Focus

Texting While Driving and Car Seat Safety Issues in Western New York

On the heels of a recent tragedy related to distracted driving, New York State is taking measures to prevent future accidents.  Today Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul and the New York State Police announced they will hand out pledges for new and young drivers to sign regarding distracted driving. 

The pledge specifically mentions texting while driving and even using iPods.  By signing, drivers will also  pledge to wear seatfbelts at all times.  The pledge forms will be distributed to all young drivers applying for permits at auto bureaus throughout Erie County.

Drivers can also follow this link to sign and print out the form online. 

Related to car safety, West Herr is teaming up with the New York State Troopers to perform child safety seat checks next Saturday April 24th.  Specific locations will be announced soon. 

Statistics show that 4 out of 5 car seats are incorrectly installed.  Safety checks help provide parents with the security and peace of mind of traveling with a safely secured child.

"Parents, especially new parents, may not know how to properly secure a car seat.  These seat checks are a good idea for any parent," said West Herr's lost opportunities manager Jill Wheeler.  Wheeler is also a mother of one. 

Each year the National Automotive Dealer's Association (NADA) sponsors these types of safety campaigns.  This years theme is "Boost for Safety: Give Kids  a Lift For Life."

NADA gives a full list of stats, facts and figures on their website including:

• Booster seats are designed to raise children up so that the safety belt fits correctly – the shoulder belt should cross the child’s chest and rest snugly on the shoulder, and the lap belt should rest low across the pelvis or hip area.
• Among children under age 5, an estimated 425 lives were saved in 2006 by child restraint use.

For complete information on the West Herr safety seat checks, check back next week.