Submitted by Andrea Nolte

Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week was Sept. 23-29, with National Seat Check held on Saturday, Sept. 29. This annual observance brings child safety advocates together to help educate families on the importance of selecting the right car seat for their child and how to use it correctly.

For the 19th consecutive year, the Kansas Motor Carriers Association (KMCA) made a life-saving donation of 36 child safety seats to the Kansas Highway Patrol. The Patrol’s public resource officers (PROs) will be distributing them to families in need of a properly-fitted seat, who do not have means to purchase one.

“The Kansas Motor Carriers Association, along with our members and the Kansas Trucking Industry, are glad to have the opportunity to work closely with the Kansas Highway Patrol to help make Kansas roads and highways safe for everyone,” said Tom Whitaker executive director of Kansas Motor Carriers Association. “Through our partnership and Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week, we are able to help take extra care of the smallest and most vulnerable people on our roads and highways.”

“Each year, KMCA’s generous donation of child safety seats allows us to ensure Kansas families keep our youngest travelers safe. We are happy to partner with KMCA in giving these seats out to Kansas families who are in need,” said Colonel Mark Bruce, superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol. “We appreciate their commitment, along with our partnership, to provide such a benefit to the families of our great state.”

The KMCA represents all types of motor carrier operations and allied enterprises, and is dedicated to all passengers’ safety on Kansas roads. They have a membership of more than 900 companies. For more information about KMCA and their safety events, go to www.kmca.org.

Car seat inspection stations and events are scheduled throughout the year across Kansas.  To find an inspection station near you, visit www.kansascarseatcheck.org. Certified child passenger safety technicians are available to help or double check your work, especially if you run into challenges.

The Patrol has troopers who are certified to inspect child safety seats for proper installation, and it’s free of charge. To set up an appointment, contact your local KHP Troop Headquarters. To find the nearest headquarters, and a phone number, go to: http://www.kansashighwaypatrol.org/211/Troop-Location-Map.