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Sevierville Police issue 61 warnings for safety seat violations

Police checked vehicles for proper child safety seats Thursday at the Sevierville Primary School.

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. — Warnings are now in the hands of more than 60 drivers in Sevierville for not restraining children in their car seats properly. 

Police checked vehicles for proper child safety seats Thursday at the Sevierville Primary School during an effort to educate parents and caregivers and help keep kids safe.

"As parents and caregivers were dropping-off children in the morning and picking them up in the afternoon, officers were standing by," City of Sevierville Public Information Officer Bob Stahlke said. 

A total of 61 warnings were given to drivers, he said.

Officers provided a copy of the child passenger restraint law along with the warnings to each driver.

Maryville Police Lieutenant Michael Braden said the most common mistake he sees from parents is not installing the car seat correctly.

"The secret to success with a car seat is to make sure that it's tight," he said. "If one piece of that puzzle doesn't fit or isn't installed properly, none of it works."

He also said some parents are unaware of Tennessee's child restraint laws.

"Some of it is negligence and some of it is inconvenience," he said. "A lot of people just don't know."

RELATED: Is your child's car seat installed correctly? The experts say probably not

Tennessee law mandates children use some form of car seat until their ninth birthday. There are some exceptions

Stahlke said parents and caregivers can come by the Sevierville Police Department Saturday, Aug. 24 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for a free child safety seat check. 

If you can't afford a child safety seat, the police department said it may be able to provide one at no cost. Call 865-453-5507 for further information.

Sevierville Police plans to periodically be present at schools in the area throughout the school year and will check vehicles for proper child safety seats.

RELATED: Is your child's car seat installed correctly? The experts say probably not

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