Nevada Highway Patrol troopers being trained in child seat safety

The Nevada Highway Patrol is training all new cadets to be Child Passenger Safety Technicians.

This training will allow troopers to be certified in the installation of all types of car seats and boosters, proper car seat positioning, height and weight requirements and seating options for children with special needs.

“The Nevada Office of Traffic Safety is excited to partner with the Nevada Highway Patrol to ensure the safe transportation of children on our roadways,” said officials with the Office of Traffic Safety.

The Office of Traffic Safety in conjunction with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Nevada Department of Public Safety provided funding of $30,000 to pay for instructor costs, student certification and related supplies for the training. The cadets will participate in numerous practical training exercises in addition to written and practical exams.

This will be the first time the Highway Patrol Northern Academy has made this a requirement for the cadets. It’s the only agency in the state training officers to be Child Passenger Safety Technicians prior to reporting to their assigned duty station.

“Prior to the funding, NHP troopers received familiarization training that gave them the knowledge to identify an improperly installed car seat, but not the certification to rectify the problem and install the car seat correctly,” said officials with the Office of Traffic Safety. “Certifying troopers as car seat technicians will ensure that Nevada will have car seat technicians in every community.”

This training is in response to the Highway Patrol reaching its Zero Fatalities campaign goals. The hope is to ensure Nevada’s children will stay safe and protected while traveling on Nevada’s highways.

The Nevada Highway Patrol will be holding a car seat safety check at the Highway 395 Walmart on June 10 from 10 a.m. to noon to inspect, install and if needed, replace car seats on a case by case basis. All motorists are encouraged to come to the check point for a free car seat inspection.