Bangor police to check child car restraints

BANGOR – The Bangor Police Department announced that it will take part in “Operation ABC Mobilization,” a national program spotlighting the need for children to be properly restrained in vehicles.

America Buckles Children will be conducted the week of Nov 19-25, with informational road checks throughout the city.

The program is held twice a year, once in May and once in November. In the two years the program has been in operation, the following results have been reported:

. Child fatalities have dropped by 16 percent.

. Restraint use for children ranging in age from infant through 15 years has increased from 65 percent to 75 percent. Restraint use among toddlers, ages 1 to 4, has increased from 60 percent to 91 percent.

. Adult seat belt use rose from 62 percent to 71 percent, the highest-ever rate increase, with 19 million more adults buckling up.

Police departments nationally recognize that the use of seat belts keeps occupants inside the passenger compartment. In the event of a crash, that is the safest place to be.

For more information, contact Lt. Welch at the Bangor Police Department, at 947-7384, Ext. 230.