Local

‘Click It or Ticket’ patrols in Pierce, King counties focusing on child passenger safety

KING, PIERCE COUNTIES, Wash. — “Click It or Ticket” enforcement patrols in King and Pierce counties are in progress Friday through Jun. 4.

The King and Pierce County Target Zero task forces are using the campaign to bring added awareness to the safety of child passengers.

The patrols are focusing on making sure child passengers have the right car seat for their age. Police are also looking for drivers who aren’t wearing their seat belts.

Officials say nearly 60% of child car seats are installed wrong and that using the right car seat can reduce the risk of fatal injuries by 71%, according to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.

Under Washington’s child restraint law:

• Children up to age 2 must be properly secured in a rear-facing car seat.

• Children ages 2-4 years must ride in a car seat with a harness.

• Children 4 and older must ride in a car or booster seat until they are 4 feet, 9 inches tall.

• Children over the height of 4 feet, 9 inches, must be secured by a properly fitted seat belt.

• Children up to age 13 must ride in the back seat when it is practical to do so.

The WTSC says for the best protection, “a child should remain in each stage of restraint until they reach the maximum height and weight based on the manufacturer’s instructions.”

State laws require that everyone in a vehicle wear a properly fastened seat belt or safety restraint.

The fine for not wearing a seatbelt or appropriate child restraint is $124.