Maui Events Highlight Child Passenger Safety, Distracted Driving

Child passenger safety. Courtesy photo.

By Wendy Osher

Two child passenger safety events are planned this weekend on Maui as part of a national campaign to raise awareness about proper use of child car restraints and the dangers of distracted driving.

The state Department of Transportation notes that child safety seats can “dramatically improve a child’s chances of surviving a car crash.” In many cases, officials say, children are either not properly secured in their safety seats or the seats are not installed properly.

The goal of the safety events is to make sure child restraints are used correctly.  A child’s age and size determines if the car seat should face front or backwards and if the child should be in a booster seat.  Inspectors will also be on hand to share information on appropriate guidelines for proper seat belt use.

In addition to a seat inspection planned at the Maui Mall on Saturday, a state-of-the-art distracted driving digital simulator will also be available to the public on Sunday at the Queen Kaʻahumanu Shopping Center.  Organizers say the device is designed to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving.

Distracted driving simulator. Courtesy photo.

According to information compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and detailed by the state Department of Transportation, “drivers who use hand-held devices while driving are four times more likely to get into crashes.”

Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will be on-site to provide education on how to use car seats, booster seats, and seat belts for children at the following weekend events on Maui:

• Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Maui Mall in Kahului
• Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Queen Kaʻahumanu Center in Kahului