As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office is urging drivers and passengers to use seat belts on every trip, regardless of distance. The reminder comes as millions are expected to travel for the holiday.
Thanksgiving is among the busiest travel periods in the United States. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that during Thanksgiving weekend in 2023, there were 309 traffic fatalities nationwide. Of those killed, 44% were not wearing seat belts.
Deputy Edward Rodriguez stated, “The Thanksgiving holiday is the start of a special time of year for so many people. No matter how long or short your drive, it’s important that drivers and passengers wear a seat belt. We want everyone to have a safe and happy Thanksgiving. Please, make sure everyone in your vehicle is buckled before you ever turn on the car, including children being in the correct car seats, too.”
California law requires children under two years old to ride in a rear-facing car seat unless they weigh at least 40 pounds or are at least 40 inches tall. Children under eight must be secured in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat until they reach these size milestones. Afterward, children who are at least eight years old or four feet nine inches tall can use a booster seat but must be secured by a safety belt at minimum.
Parents and caregivers are advised to keep children in rear- or forward-facing seats as long as possible and apply the “Five-Step Test” to decide when it is safe for their child to transition out of a booster seat.
The enforcement campaign receives funding through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety via support from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
For more information about careers with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, interested individuals can visit joinrso.org or call 1-888-Join-RSD.
