BREAKING: Solano County has just announced a significant development in child safety as it extends its Car Seat Connection Program thanks to a new grant of $191,934 from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). This grant, effective immediately, will fund crucial services until September 2026, addressing the alarming statistic that up to 90 percent of child car seats in the region are incorrectly installed.
This funding will support essential initiatives, including car seat safety classes, individual inspection appointments, and community-wide checkup events led by Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians fluent in both English and Spanish. The program aims to educate parents and caregivers on the updated California Car Seat Laws, which mandate that children under two must remain in a rear-facing car seat until they weigh at least 40 pounds or reach a height of 40 inches.
According to officials, the program will also introduce a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) Training early in 2026. This training will enable community members and partner agencies to become certified CPS Technicians, enhancing car seat education and access across Solano County.
Giselle Salinas Zavala, Health Education Specialist with the Injury Prevention Program, stated, “Offering local CPST certification training is an exciting next step. It will help us strengthen our network of trained technicians and ensure more families across Solano County have access to accurate, up-to-date car seat safety education.”
The urgency of this initiative is underscored by troubling statistics from the OTS, which reveal that while seat belt use in California is at an impressive 96.2%, 780 unrestrained occupants tragically lost their lives in traffic crashes in 2023. Nationally, nearly 60% of car seats are improperly used, and local inspections indicate that Solano County’s incorrect usage rate may be as high as 90%.
For parents and caregivers, this program represents a lifeline, offering both in-person and virtual car seat safety courses designed to make education accessible for all residents. The importance of early education on car seats and seat belts cannot be overstated, as it plays a critical role in ensuring the safety of children during travel.
Residents are encouraged to take advantage of this vital resource. More information about the Solano Car Seat Connection Program and other initiatives from the Solano County Health Promotion and Community Wellness Bureau, also known as VIBE Solano, can be found on the county’s official website. This includes additional programs focusing on chronic disease prevention, anti-drug initiatives, and safe routes to school in collaboration with the Solano Transit Authority.
Stay tuned for further updates as Solano County continues to enhance child safety through these important measures. Share this urgent news with fellow parents and caregivers to ensure everyone has access to this life-saving education.
