1. Engaging non-tech Law Enforcement Officers
Sgt. Tim Gould
Vermont State Police

2. Obstacles to Enforcement
Primary Enforcement: 34 states and D.C.
Secondary Enforcement: 15 states
*NH has no seatbelt law for adults.

3. Secondary enforcement laws make enforcement secondary to officers.
Seatbelt enforcement is only pushed to the forefront during special enforcement campaigns

4. Secondary Enforcement – does it affect enforcement of child restraint laws?
Are officers looking for year olds that have no seatbelt? (In Vermont, anyone under 18 is covered by child restraint law, which is PRIMARY enforcement)

5. Obstacles to Enforcement
Product evolution
Complicated and changing technology

6. Obstacles to Enforcement

7. Obstacles to Enforcement
Complicated and varied products
Lack of standardization
CRS Manual
Vehicle Manual
LATCH Manual

8. Obstacles to Enforcement
Child restraint laws:
Ages and weights – 20 lbs and 1 year; age 8; age 17
Exceptions – School buses; vehicles designed to carry passengers for hire
Exceptions to exceptions – except vehicle operated by a child care facility

9. Training?
In Vermont, full time certified officers receive a few minutes of training during motor vehicle law class.

10. Areas of enforcement for “lay” officers:
Booster Seats:
Back vs Backless - common misconception of booster as backless only.
Proper belt position – shoulder belt NEVER behind back.
Stress importance of role as belt positioning device.
Posture – look for kids to sit up straight, reinforce the importance of this.
Parents – emphasize the importance of behavior and setting a good example.

11. Areas of enforcement for “lay” officers:
Harnesses:
Loose harnesses – hanging off shoulder
Excessive layers of clothing
Frayed/Twisted harness straps

12. Areas of enforcement for “lay” officers:
Load Securement:
Seat secured in vehicle?
1 inch test – checked at belt path.
Seat belt locked?

13. Areas of enforcement for “lay” officers:
The Forgotten Years:
Age 8 – 17
May still need booster during early years.
NO CRS…. But PRIMARY ENFORCEMENT
Kids moving around in car
Reaching in front or behind

14. Areas of enforcement for “lay” officers:
Crash Investigation:
Ensure that proper data is collected:

15. Areas of enforcement for “lay” officers:
Are we getting good crash data when no “CPS” investigation is completed?

16. Areas of enforcement for “lay” officers:
Crash Investigation:
When no tech is available, collect as much data regarding child and seat to allow for follow up…
Which will lead to better crash data.

17. Vermont: So what are we doing?:
US Dept of Health and Human Services CoIIN.
Develop a course of instruction for patrol officers.
2-4 hours of instruction.

18. Vermont: So what are we doing?:
Pilot to be taught to certified police officers.
Following pilot and adjustments, course will be inserted into “post-basic” training for all full time certified Vermont police officers.

19. Vermont: So what are we doing?:
Focus on “hands on” training with sample seats.

20. So what are we doing?:
Vermont:
Case studies/victories…..

21. August 2012, VT Route 131, Weathersfield, VT; 7:52 p.m.
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee, SB on US Rt 5.
Motorist calls to report erratic operation as the vehicle turns onto Rt 131 westbound.
Trooper responds to intercept; while en route, a crash is reported.
Jeep crossed the center lane and sideswiped a Ford F-150
Jeep continues and strikes a Ford Fusion head on in the eastbound lane.
Operator of Jeep is killed.
4 year old female in rear seat of Ford Fusion is restrained in a booster seat.

22. Mark from seatbelt extending across center of chest to child’s left shoulder

23. Mark from lap belt extending across hips and waist

24. Mark from shoulder belt on shoulder, not on neck.
“Only” injury -
fractured clavicle.

27. How do officers achieve victories?
Look for obvious/gross misuse
Know when to refer a family to a technician
Collect information about children and child restraints to allow for follow up when there is no CPS tech as the scene of injury and fatal crashes.