Sept. 17-23, 2023 is National Child Passenger Safety Week. The following letter is from Sheriff Hash to Roanoke City parents/guardians with important reminders about passenger safety in vehicles.

Download a copy of this letter, and download information about Virginia child passenger safety laws.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As the Sheriff of Roanoke City, my staff and I want to remind you of the importance of wearing seat belts and utilizing booster seats for the safety of your children. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13, and using the appropriate safety seat can reduce the risk of injury or death by up to 71%.

I want to stress the importance of using booster seats and being sure to always use the appropriate safety seat for your child’s age, weight, and height. Once they are tall enough to properly fit in a vehicle seat belt, I encourage you to have discussions with them, so they understand the importance of wearing their seat belt whenever they are in a vehicle.

Additionally, please remember to lead by example and always wear your own seat belt while driving. It is important for children to see that safety is a priority for everyone in the car. Remember…

“Safety starts with you. Buckle up too!”

Thank you for taking the time to prioritize your child’s safety when you are on the road.

Sincerely,
Sheriff Antonio D. Hash