URGENT UPDATE: Solano County parents will soon have increased access to essential car seat safety education as the county has received a $191,934 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). This funding, part of a program administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, aims to extend the Solano Car Seat Connection Program until September 2026.
Recent inspections reveal alarming statistics: up to 90% of child car seats in Solano County are being used incorrectly. The urgent need for proper education on car seat installation and usage cannot be overstated, as improper use significantly increases the risk of injury in traffic incidents.
The grant will enable the Solano County Health and Social Services Department’s Public Health Division to continue vital services, including car seat safety classes, individual inspection appointments, and community-wide checkup events. These initiatives will be conducted by Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians in both English and Spanish, enhancing accessibility for all residents.
Giselle Salinas Zavala, Health Education Specialist with the Injury Prevention Program, expressed excitement about the grant’s potential impact: “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.”
By early 2026, Solano County will also host a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) Training, allowing community members and partner agencies to become certified technicians. This initiative aims to expand car seat access and enhance safety education across the county.
The importance of early education regarding car seats and seatbelts is critical. According to OTS data, while California boasts a seat belt usage rate of 96.2%, 780 unrestrained occupants were tragically killed in traffic crashes in 2023. Nationwide, nearly 60% of car seats are misused, and local inspections suggest that the rate in Solano County is alarmingly close to 90%.
For parents and caregivers in Solano County, this grant represents a significant opportunity to improve child safety on the roads. The program not only offers in-person and virtual car seat safety courses but also provides crucial updates on California Car Seat Laws. Children under the age of two must remain in a rear-facing car seat until they weigh at least 40 pounds or reach a height of 40 inches.
For more information on the car seat program and other initiatives from the Solano County Health Promotion and Community Wellness Bureau (VIBE Solano), visit the Solano County website. This includes other critical programs aimed at chronic disease prevention, anti-drug education, and safe routes to school in partnership with the Solano Transit Authority.
As this vital program moves forward, parents are encouraged to take advantage of the resources available to ensure their children’s safety in vehicles. The time to act is now—proper education can save lives.
