Buckling up, the importance of keeping kids safe in car

A five-year-old boy is in the hospital Tuesday night after being thrown out of a car during an accident on Highway 1.

The California Highway Patrol said the boy flew out in part because he was not properly fastened to his seat.

It is the second time in a month the improper use or lack of car seats has led to serious injuries here on the Central Coast.

A 40-year-old Watsonville woman was driving south on Highway 1 when she lost control of her truck and hit the center divide. Officers said she admitted to being on her phone before the crash.

“You know, it’s really tragic. Her child was not properly restrained in the proper type of car seat, which obviously allowed him to be ejected when the car rolled over,” said Trista Drake, a spokesperson for the CHP.

The child was not using a car or booster seat of any kind.

“There is no excuse having your child unrestrained in the car. Absolutely no excuse,” said Drake. “This was 100 percent preventable. If that child would have been in the proper type of car seat, he probably would’ve walked away uninjured.”

Back in August, a 3-year-old boy was also thrown from a car on Highway 101 south of Salinas. In that case, he was using a booster seat the was not properly fastened.

CHP said up to 85 percent of parents do not have their car seats installed correctly. Parents should always check the manual provided with a car seat or booster seat when purchased.

CHP says they are happy to install a car seat for anyone free of charge. They will even give a car seat to anyone who does not have one at no charge.