DECADE LATER, LAW SAVING YOUNG LIVES

Ten years ago, Missouri became the 40th state to require that children under the age of 4 be protected by the use of an approved child car seat or vehicle safety belt.

Since Jan. 1, 1984, many young lives have been saved that would have otherwise been lost as a result of motor vehicle accidents. But Sharee Galnore of the Cape Girardeau Police Department's Community Traffic Safety Division isn't satisfied.

Said Galnore, "We're very pleased with the number of people who have purchased and are using child car seats and restraints. But there are still many others who are either not complying with the safety law, or have incorrectly installed the child restraint seats, or are not using them correctly.

"Parents should always remember that one of greatest dangers facing a young child today is riding in an automobile or pickup truck. They need to give their children as much protection as they can."

The law requires that children, age 4 and younger, who are traveling in the front seat of a car be protected by a child passenger restraint system approved by the Missouri Department of Public Safety. Children riding in the rear seat of a car must be protected either by a child car seat or a seat belt. Those over age 4 must wear seat belts when riding in the front or rear seats of the car.

After the law went into effect, an extensive public education program was instituted. Galnore said the public education program, plus warnings and later citations issued by law enforcement agencies, has created a greater awareness of the importance of having children properly secured in a child restraint system.

In addition to looking for moving motor vehicle violations, the Missouri Highway Patrol and Illinois State Police also look for proper seat belt and child restraint usage when patrolling highways and intestates. Cape Girardeau police officers also look for child restraint and seat belt violations in the city.

"Parents today are much more conscious of buckling up or putting their child in a car seat," she said. "It has also become a part of the routine of preparing for the birth of a child. When you buy the baby clothes and furniture, you also purchase an infant restraint or car seat so when mother and child are released from the hospital, the baby gets its first ride in the infant car seat."

Galnore said it is extremely important that the car seat be installed properly, and that it be used in a correct manner. She said, "If an infant restraint seat is designed to face the rear, it must be installed that way or it will not offer full protection in the event of a collision.

"It is also important to make sure child car seats are buckled into the car seat belts. Just setting a child car seat in the front or back seat, with the infant or child strapped into the car seat, will not offer much protection."

Galnore said "loaner" infant and child car seats are available at the Easter Seal center in Cape Girardeau. If anyone has a question about infant restraints and child car seats, they can contact Galnore at 335-7908.