Car Duty- Parents not using Seatbelts and Car Seats Properly

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

Okay, this is my first official day as a school nurse and on car duty I noticed a LARGE number of parents piling children in the car (4 or five in a back seat with only 3 belts).. babies in car seats not buckled, and even an infant car seat in the FRONT seat (and baby unbuckled). The nurse in me wants to educate each parent before allowing the kids in the car but the car line is an oiled machine and none of the teachers/administrators seemed phased by the blatant disregard for car safety (and state law). I'm not sure where to start with this? Any ideas how to approach this without alienating the staff, admins and parents??

[txnursetrb26]

Talk to the administration at your school and let them know it goes against your license and ethics to see this happen and not take action. See if they have any constructive ways to help improve the issue. After all, isn't they were to go on and get in an accident, that would be considered neglect on all professionals that were aware and allowed the situation to occur.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Maybe local police department traffic safety division would provide a lecture at back to school night plus a free car seat safety check. The liability is there--as knowledge without action can be deemed irresponsible in mandated reporters. In my state known car seat violations, especially in infants & toddlers that is continued can be reportable to CPS. One mom would leave her 1 year old in the car alone to walk her 7 year old across the street. She parked 3 yards from the cross walk that was manned by a PD crossing guard. She was reported and given a warning & education by CPS (only know for certain because she told EVERYONE)

New laws go into effect in my state that not only keep kids in the back seat until 11/12 years old but in boosters until 100lbs and over 5' tall. Should be fun in my area as PD does traffic control at the schools and will speak up out of moral & legal obligation. (Glad my son broke 5' and 100# 6 months ago!)

[OldDude]

As with many other parenting issues.....this is something you can't fix. It is however a law enforcement issue and can be fixed by that route. Either you or your administrator or superintendent, or all of you, contact the city Police Chief about the multiple seat belt violations entering/exiting school property from and onto the public roadway. Once the chief is made aware it would be conscious negligence to not "do" something about such a public safety issue. I'll bet a few mornings of traffic snarl while tickets are being written followed by counting those kids tardy for school would greatly increase parent interest in complying with the seat belt laws.