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Question: Can you report a person driving with children that are not seat belted in?

Answer:

Yes you may report a person driving with children that are not restrained in seat belts.

 

The Phoenix Police Department has a hotline number set up to take these reports.

If you observe a child under the age of 5 not properly restrained while riding in a car, you can call 1-800-505-2229(BABY). They ask that you leave the following information:

1)       The vehicle license number and state.

2)       The city you are in when you observed the child not being buckled up.

3)       Where the child was sitting in the vehicle.

 

A packet of useful information will then be mailed to the registered owner stating that their vehicle was observed transporting an unbuckled child. The material describes the hazards of transporting an unbuckled child under the age of 5, and encourages the owner to purchase a child restraint system. However, because the program is designed to provide information to those who might need it most, the information reported is not provided to the police, insurance companies, or to the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division.
Comments
1 thru 5 of 14 comments
On 05/07/09
daniel from AZ said:
I am glad there is a number to report adults who do not properly restrain children while driving a vehicle, but i don't believe the problem is one of education. Before a mother leaves the hospital after having a baby, she is asked if she has a car seat for the baby. I believe most of these cases are a direct result of pure laziness and neglect. An information packet is not enough! If there is more than one occurrence reported on the same person/car CPS should be notified. Kids lives are at risk! Let forget about being PC and do what is right!
On 11/03/08
from AZ said:
It is all about education and informing people about the safety of their children. If they are driving around with unbuckled and unprotected children, it is everyones' responsiblity as children's advocates to look out for the children that have parents thay may or may not know these safety guidelines. Maybe a note informing them will be just the key that triggers wow, others care about my kids, I should too
On 09/06/08
Steph from AZ said:
We're all responsible for children. Period. There's no excuse for observing abuse or, in this case, neglect and not doing everything possible to help that child...which includes reporting their parents to the highest possible authority. I just wish we could do more than send a packet of mail to these deadbeats.
On 08/15/08
Lynn from AZ said:
LOVE THIS IDEA! I am so glad we have this since I see this too often and people need to be educated. Please do more PSAs about it.
On 03/12/08
m7 from AZ said:
I think that this is an amazing thing to have. When this # is called we are not "snitching" on people, we are trying to get them to realize the dangers of them not having their child buckled up properly. When I see a child standing on the seats of a moving vehicle or on their parents lap it scares me. I was recently in a serious car accident & the seatbelt SAVED my life. I was bruised up & have a scar from the belt, but I would rather that I had those & my LIFE than being dead. I'm sure if you were in an accident & your child died/was injured because of not being restrained you'd feel the same
1 thru 5 of 14 comments


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