The State Automobile Inspectorate of the Vitebsk region, in conjunction with the public association "Belarusian Club of Automobile and Motorcycle Tourism," will hold an event on November 30 in Vitebsk for parents of child passengers, as reported to BelTA by the acting head of the agitation and propaganda department of the traffic police of the Internal Affairs Directorate of the Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Kazyuchits.
The State Automobile Inspectorate of the Vitebsk region, in conjunction with the public association "Belarusian Club of Automobile and Motorcycle Tourism," will hold an event on November 30 in Vitebsk for parents of child passengers, as reported to BelTA by the acting head of the agitation and propaganda department of the traffic police of the Internal Affairs Directorate of the Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Kazyuchits.
"This club approached the Ministry of Internal Affairs with an initiative to hold a series of events across the country aimed at teaching car-owning parents how to use child restraint systems – car seats, boosters, and special seat cushions. Some adults continue to ignore the relevant clause of the traffic rules. And some do not even know how to properly install a car seat. We will address these gaps during the event, as well as identify offenders – those who do not use car seats," explained Alexander Kazyuchits.
From approximately 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM (i.e., when parents take their children to kindergarten or school), traffic police officers, representatives of the automobile and motorcycle tourism club, as well as the head of the kindergarten and several members of the parents' committee will be on duty near one of Vitebsk's preschool institutions. Their presence will help enhance the preventive effect if a fine is not sufficient for an offender. A life-size zebra mascot will also draw attention to the event. All stopped motorists will be given leaflets on the Traffic Rules, and those who have a car seat will also receive reflectors as a gift. In addition, an instructor from the auto club will conduct a master class on installing car seats, boosters, and
The State Automobile Inspectorate reminds that according to clause 178 of the Traffic Regulations, the transportation of children in a passenger car equipped with seat belts must be carried out using: child restraint systems corresponding to the child's weight and height, for children up to 5 years of age; devices and other means (boosters, special seat cushions, additional seats) that allow the child to be safely fastened with seat belts, for children aged from 5 to 12 years. However, it is permitted to transport children under 12 years of age without restraint systems if the child's height exceeds 150 cm, as well as in a taxi. It is prohibited to transport children in the front seat of a passenger car using restraint systems whose backrests are turned towards the windshield, if the front seat has a frontal airbag (or if its mechanism is not deactivated). Failure to comply with these rules may result in a fine of up to 4 base amounts (up to Br84) for the driver, and for a repeated violation of this kind, a fine of 2 to 8 base amounts (up to Br168) will be imposed.