Never Leave Children Or Pets In Vehicles - Especially During Hot Weather

August 01, 2008 -
CHP HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF KAITLYN'S LAW -

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is warning the public of the dangers of leaving a child alone inside a sweltering-hot vehicle.

"When left in the sun, it only takes a minute for the inside of the vehicle to become like an oven," said CHP Captain Teresa Sumprer of the El Cajon Area office.

Heat isn't the only danger; children left in running cars can injure themselves or others by accidentally hitting a gear and putting the car in motion.

Another tragedy- 8/24/08 - Kansas - Twin Toddlers died after being left in a the family vehicle for more than two hours: Twins Die In Hot Car!

Learn more about the dangers of children and cars here:www.4rkidssake.org

"Not only is it dangerous, it is illegal to leave a child in a car," Captain Sumprer added.

"Kaitlyn's Law," also known as the "Unattended Child in a Motor Vehicle Act," states that anyone who leaves a child of six years old or younger inside a vehicle without the supervision of someone at least 12 years old can be fined $100.

To increase awareness of the dangers of leaving children unattended in or around motor vehicles, the organization 4 R Kids Sake has designated the month of August as "Purple Ribbon Month." In support of this campaign, the CHP has affixed a purple ribbon to the antenna of all its patrol cars. The ribbons are in memory of children who have lost their lives, including 6-month-old Kaitlyn Russell who died from hyperthermia after being left unattended in a parked vehicle August 15, 2000.

"As a driver, you are responsible for all of your passengers' safety while the vehicle is running and when it is parked," reminded CHP Captain Teresa Sumprer.

The CHP urges anyone who sees an unattended child in a vehicle to immediately call 911.

The Law: SB 255 (Speier)

Unattended Child in Motor Vehicle Act "Kaitlyn's Law"

California Vehicle Code Sections 15620, 15630, 15632

15620. (a) A parent, legal guardian, or other person responsible for a child who is 6 years of age or younger may not leave that child inside a motor vehicle without being subject to the supervision of a person who is 12 years of age or older, under either of the following circumstances:

(1) Where there are conditions that present a significant risk to the child's health or safety.

(2) When the vehicle’s engine is running or the vehicle's keys are in the ignition, or both.

(b) A violation of subdivision (a) is an infraction punishable by a fine of one hundred dollars ($100), except that the court may reduce or waive the fine if the defendant establishes to the satisfaction of the court that he or she is economically disadvantaged and the court, instead, refers the defendant to a community education program that includes education on the dangers of leaving young children unattended in motor vehicles, and provides certification of completion of that program. Upon completion of that program, the defendant shall provide that certification to the court. The court may, at its discretion, require any defendant described in this section to attend an education program on the dangers of leaving young children unattended in motor vehicles.

(c) Nothing in this section shall preclude prosecution under both this section and Section 192 of the Penal Code, or Section 273a of that code, or any other provision of law.

(d) (1) Subdivision (b) and Section 40000.1 do not apply if an unattended child is injured or medical services are rendered on that child because of a violation described in subdivision (a).

(2) Nothing in this subdivision precludes prosecution under any other provision of law.

15630. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the fines collected for a violation of this division shall be allocated by the county treasurer, as follows:

(a) (1) Seventy percent to the county or city health department where the violation occurred, to be used for the development and implementation of community education programs on the dangers of leaving young children unattended in motor vehicles.

(2) A county or city health department may develop and implement the community education program described in paragraph (1) or may contract for the development and implementation of that program.

(3) As the proceeds from fines collected under this division become available, each county or city health department shall prepare and annually update a listing of community education programs that provide information on the dangers of leaving young children unattended in motor vehicles and ways to avoid that danger. The county or city health department shall forward the listing to the courts and shall make the listing available to the public, and may distribute it to other agencies or organizations.

(b) Fifteen percent to the county or city for the administration of the program, from which will be paid the cost of the county to account for and disburse fine revenues.

(c) Fifteen percent to the city, to be deposited in its general fund except that, if the violation occurred in an unincorporated area, this amount shall be deposited in the county's general fund.

15632. (a) The department shall include information concerning the dangers of leaving children unattended in motor vehicles, including, but not limited to, the effect of solar heat on the temperature of vehicle interiors and the penalties for noncompliance

with Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 15620), in the following materials distributed by the department:

(1) The California Driver's Handbook published under subdivision (b) of Section 1656.

(2) The driver's license examination administered under Section 12804.9, by including, on a rotating basis, at least one question in one version of the driver's license examination that is periodically administered to applicants.

(3) Any driver's education materials certified by the department.

(4) Courses and examinations for traffic violator schools.

(5) Materials provided to secondary and post-secondary schools and educational institutions.

(6) Any materials provided to community education campaigns undertaken by the department and other state agencies, including, but not limited to, the Department of the California Highway Patrol and the Department of Transportation.

(b) The department shall not republish materials before existing supplies are exhausted, but shall arrange for compliance with this section in the next edition or publication of those materials in the normal course of business.