SOLEDAD — As millions of families throughout the state hit the road to visit friends and family this Thanksgiving holiday, Soledad Police Department reminds drivers and passengers to “Buckle Up. Every Trip. Every Time.”
“Whether you’re taking a long drive across the country or a shorter trip around town to celebrate, wearing your seat belt is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash,” according to the department.
Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times of the year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in 2022, 326 people were killed in traffic crashes across the nation, and 43% were not wearing seat belts.
“During Thanksgiving travel, let’s make safety a priority by buckling up every time we’re in the car,” said Soledad Police Sgt. Jesus Contreras. “Wearing your seat belt is a simple way to protect yourself and those you care about. Let’s all continue to set an example and make this holiday a safe one for everyone.”
During the Thanksgiving holiday, Nov. 27-30, the Soledad Police Department will conduct operations during the week for enforcement efforts specifically focused on drivers and passengers who are not wearing their seat belt, including children who are not secured in child safety seats.
California law requires all children under 2 years old to ride in a rear-facing car seat, unless the child is 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall. Once a child reaches these milestones, all children under the age of 8 years are still required to be secured in a car seat or booster seat.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to keep children in the proper rear or forward-facing seat as long as possible and use the “Five-Step Test” to determine if their child is big enough to safely use a seat belt without a booster seat.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
