The Virgin Islands Office of Highway Safety (OHS) takes passenger safety – especially the safety of the territory’s youngest passengers – very seriously. Safety seat clinics to promote child safety were held throughout the territory during the month of February.

During the safety seat campaign, OHS focused on raising awareness of the need for children ages 4 to 8 to also use safety seats. Children in this age group who are less than 4’9” should be seated in booster seats. A booster seat would raise the child up so that adult safety belts would fit over their chests and hips properly – thereby protecting them in the event of a crash.

The turnout on all three islands is evidence that OHS’ message is getting through. At the safety seat clinic on St. Croix, a line of cars snaked through the former Western Auto parking lot, waiting patiently to receive a car seat and have it properly installed by a certified child passenger safety technician. The clinics also offered the public the opportunity to check safety seats already owned and installed in their cars.

Safety seat clinics are an annual event sponsored by the Office of Highway Safety. Safety seats are available at OHS throughout the year. For more information, contact (340)778-2244.