District 16 and State Farm partner for child passenger safety

Staff Report

Illinois State Police District 16 Commander, Capt. James Alexander, announced that Illinois State Police (ISP) District 16 is continuing its longtime partnership with State Farm and will be expanding the focus of the partnership.

“ISP’s Safety Education Unit has worked side by side with State Farm for several years encouraging motorists and passengers to always wear their seatbelts through the use of the Seatbelt Convincer,” said Capt. Alexander. “We have seen the positive results of seatbelt education, but we can’t overlook the younger passengers who are too small for a seatbelt, which is why this new effort is so important.”

State Farm agents throughout District 16 and District 1 will host child seat safety check events over the next few months at their offices. Child Passenger Safety technicians from ISP District 16 will be on hand to inspect child seats and ensure proper installation and use of the seats. There is no cost to have a seat inspected, and you need not be a State Farm customer.

“Our goal is to have every child secured correctly in an appropriate child seat every time they are in a vehicle,” said Trooper Brent Massingill, District 16’s Safety Education Officer. “A partnership providing events like this gives parents the necessary information and resources to make traveling with little ones as safe as possible.”

For information regarding dates, times and locations of child seat safety events, check Illinois State Police District 16’s Facebook page or contact Trooper Massingill.

From the Aug. 8-14, 2012, issue