More than 96 percent of Californians buckle up before they hit the road. While the Golden State has one of the highest compliance rate in the nation, the California Highway Patrol would like to see 100 percent of the motoring public safely secured in their vehicle.

Officer John Lutz of the Newhall CHP office, said that there is a good reason for buckling up.

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“It’s been statistically proven that half the people involved in a fatal collision die as a result of not wearing a seat belt,” Lutz said.

“It’s encouraging to see that the majority of the public are using seat belts or child passenger safety seats,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “Ultimately, our goal is to encourage the use of passenger restraints by everyone in the vehicle and to let the motoring public know that by using a seat belt, they’re less likely to suffer severe or fatal injuries if they’re involved in a collision.”

As part of National Child Passenger Safety Week (Sept. 18-24), the CHP has designated Sept. 21 as vehicle occupant restraint enforcement and education day.

Lutz pointed out that the CHP offers free child safety seat inspections and installation.

“Information is available at any of our offices,” he said. “We set up appointments on a weekly basis for people to come in and have their child seat looks at to see if it’s properly installed and up to date with the proper certifications.”

The Newhall CHP office is located at 28648 The Old Road. For information and appointments, call 661-294-5540.