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The Traffic Division’s primary job is to develop programs and educate drivers to reduce traffic crashes, as well as participate in traffic safety and educational programs.

About the Traffic Unit
Child Safety Seats Links
4 Steps for Kids
Top Ten Car Seat Mistakes

About the Traffic Unit
The members of this unit are trained in advanced and specialized traffic law enforcement and crash investigation and reconstruction.  These special skills may be called upon in the investigation of traffic crashes that involve serious injury or death.  The Traffic Officer may perform directed patrol activities in a specific area to enforce a particular traffic violation in an attempt to reduce the number of traffic crashes at a given location.

The Traffic Division conduct numerous bike rodeos, distribute bicycle helmets, man educational booths as various local businesses, and perform child safety seat checks in the community.  Learn more about some of these and other community programs in our Support Services section of the website.

The Division also includes a AAA Certified Child Safety Seat Instructor who is available, by appointment, to check your child safety seat at the Police Department.  The Instructor also conducts numerous child safety seat educational programs at Park Place Recreational Center as well as local businesses and Pediatrician’s Offices.  In addition, the Traffic Division is also a member of the Kane County division of the National "SAFE KIDS" organization.

Child Safety Seats Links
Did you know that 95% of all child safety seats are incorrectly installed? Moreover, 93% of parents do not use booster seats for children when required?  Our Links of Interest page in the Reference desk section of our website has some links to key traffic safety agencies to learn more about how to correctly install and use these seats.  They are also sources of information for potential recall of safety seats.

4 Steps for Kid
Did you know that at least four out of five children in safety seats are improperly restrained?  The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) recommends that all children, up to 80 lbs., use child safety seats.  The 4 Steps for Kids are:

1. Rear-Facing Child Seats
   Use rear-facing seats for children from birth to at least 20 lbs. and at least one year of age.
2. Forward-Facing Child Seats
   Use rear-facing seats for children over 20 lbs. and at least one year to about 40 lbs. and about age four. 
3. Belt-Positioning Booster Seats
   Seat belts can seriously injure small children who are not properly placed in safety seats.  Use booster seats for children who weigh from about 40 lbs to about 80 lbs. and measure 4' 9" in height.
4. Seat Belts
   Use seat belts when children are large enough for belts to fit correctly: at least 4' 9" tall and about 80 lbs.

Protect your kids by taking each step as they grow and have their seats inspected.

Top Ten Car Seat Mistakes

1. Seat Belt Not Securing Child Safety Seat Tightly
   When properly secured, a child seat should not move side to side more than one inch, when the seat is pulled from the base near the seat belt.
2. Child Facing Forward Too Soon
   The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that children remain rear facing in a child safety seat until they reach both one year of age and 20 lbs.
3. Harness Straps In Wrong Slots
   When rear facing, harness straps should be routed through the slots that are "at or below" the child’s shoulders. When forward facing, the straps should be routed through the slots that are "at or above" the shoulders. For most convertible seats, the harness straps should be at the highest slots when forward facing, as these slots are reinforced.
4. Locking Clip Not Used When Required
   A locking clip should be used when you have a seat belt system that is a lap and shoulder belt combination, with a free sliding latch plate, and an emergency locking retractor (a retractor that only locks in a crash or emergency braking). The locking clip should be installed within one inch of the buckle.
5. Retainer Clip Not Used Correctly
   The retainer clip, which properly positions the shoulder harness straps, should be at the child’s armpit level. The straps should be threaded through the clip in the same manner on both sides.
6. Harness Straps Not Tight Enough
   The harness straps are what will hold your child in position in the child seat when a crash occurs. They should be snug enough so that only one finger can be placed between the strap and the child’s shoulder.
7. Improper Child Seat For The Child
   Every child seat has weight and height parameters. Never exceed these parameters as set by the manufacturer. If your child weighs more than the seat allows, you must transition your child to another seat. Do not move your child into a seat belt only, too soon. Seat belts are designed for adults, not 6 year old children. Children under 4'9" and under 80 pounds are recommended to be placed in a booster seat to avoid possible internal injuries caused by "Seat Belt Syndrome."
8. Using A Recalled Or Unsafe Seat
   Many child seats have been recalled by the manufacturers, but not all recalls require the seat to be destroyed. Many simply require a replacement part that you can obtain free. A copy of the current recall list is available on the NHTSA website. Do not use a child seat that has been purchased from a resale shop or at a garage sale. You do not know the history behind the seat, and it may be missing critical parts. Lastly, never use a child seat after it has been involved in a crash. You should ask that it be replaced by your insurance company when they fix your car. This also applies to seats belts which are only designed for one time use only after the vehicles occupants use them in a crash.
9. Child Seat Incompatible With Vehicle Seat/Air Bag
   Never place a rear facing child seat in front of a passenger side air bag! Also, not every child seat will fit properly in every car. Some seat belt systems and vehicle seat designs make it very difficult if not impossible to install a child seat properly. Some child seat designs are not compatible with certain cars. Try before you buy!
10. "Foreign Objects" Used To Secure A Child Seat
    Do not use such items as bungee cords, tie down straps, rope, wire, clamps, etc., to secure your child seat. These items could prove dangerous in a crash. A rolled up towel or foam "pool noodle" can be used under a rear facing seat to assist in properly positioning the child seat the required 45 degree angle.

If you are unable to secure your child seat, or would like assistance in checking your seat for recalls or proper installation, contact the Streamwood Police Department at (630) 736-3700.

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Village of Streamwood 301 E. Irving Park Road Streamwood, IL  60107-3096 (630) 736-3800

This page last modified 04/09/08 .
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