Pennsylvania State Police Find Widespread Misuse of Child Car Seats

Pennsylvania State Police said they found more than 75 percent of child safety seats were improperly installed in vehicles during inspections throughout the state between May 23 and June 5.

Troopers inspected 319 child safety seats at 45 sites during a two-week "Click It or Ticket" campaign aimed at increasing motorists’ use of seat belts, said state police Commissioner Frank Noonan.

During those inspections, troopers also examined child seats with permission from the motorists and found that 246, or 77 percent, of the seats weren't being used properly, Noonan said. Problems included failing to securely fasten the child seat to the vehicle's seat, failing to use the seat's harness properly and placing the seat in the wrong direction, he said.

Troopers did not cite or issue warnings to motorists who permitted voluntary inspections of child seats in their vehicles.

They did issue 902 citations for failing to use seat belts and 3,874 warnings during "Click It or Ticket" inspections. They cited 63 motorists for failing to properly restrain children in safety seats, as the law requires, and they arrested 32 people for driving under the influence.

State police from Troop B, which covers Allegheny, Fayette, Greene and Washington counties and a portion of Westmoreland County, found 21 of 28 child seats they inspected to be improperly installed.  They issued 78 citations for failing to use seat belts during those inspections.

In the Troop D area covering Butler, Armstrong, Beaver, Lawrence and Mercer counties, troopers found all 12 of the 12 safety seats they inspected to be improperly installed. They issued 34 citations for failing to use seat belts.

Parents and other motorists may contact any state police station to arrange for inspections of child-safety seats. Regular inspection dates are listed under the safety education section of the state police website.

For more information about Pennsylvania's seat belt and child-safety seat laws, go to www.drivesafepa.org.