Program seeks to step up use of seatbelts and car seats

More than one hundred law enforcement agencies statewide will be taking part in a Special Traffic Enforcement Program, or STEP, this week. Lu Simpson is the state’s STEP coordinator.This STEP is part of National Child Passenger Safety Week to make sure any adult traveling with a child gets that child into the proper restraint system for their age and size. Simpson says wintertime is tough enough on drivers without having to worry about a loose child in the vehicle.Simpson says more Iowans -are- getting the message about having kids properly restrained and riding in the back seat.Surveys show 72-point-nine percent of children are properly restrained in Iowa. During February of 2001, there were 22 people killed on roads statewide, one of which was a child.