Car Seat Installation

March 18, 2025

I almost can’t believe it, but daylights savings time has finally ended. The sun is out, the weather is warmer (for now), and families are going to be spending more time on the road. Vacations, day trips, and afternoons in the park mean more vehicle traffic. This week let’s go over some tips to keep your little ones safe while travelling.

The correct car seat, and proper installation are the two best ways to keep kids safe in a vehicle crash. The Maryland Highway Safety Office reports that car seats, when used correctly, can reduce the risk of infant fatality by 71% and toddler fatality by 54% when involved in a crash. Sounds easy enough until we learn that it is estimated that 59% percent of car seats are installed incorrectly. Now, the question becomes, how do we know which car seat is right for your kids?

The CDC recommends keeping your infant or toddler in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the top height or weight recommended by the manufacturer. Beyond that, it is ok to keep them forward-facing until it is time to graduate to a booster seat. For a full break down of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommendations, visit https://zerodeathsmd.gov/road-safety/child-passenger-safety/

For information on proper installation of your car seat, check out the Kids in Safety Seats website at https://health.maryland.gov/phpa/OEHFP/KISS/Pages/Home.aspx
While there are tons of resources out there, it is ultimately up to you to make good choices and drive safely on every trip.

Until next week, slow down, pay attention, wear your seatbelt, and drive safely.

HCSO Main Line – 410.838.6600
Northern Precinct – 410.692.7880
Southern Precinct – 410.612.1717
HCSO Traffic Unit – 443.409.3324
traffictiptuesday@harfordsheriff.org

School Bus Safety Update

February 18, 2025

School bus safety has been a hot topic recently. Since the inception of the program (February 2023), automated bus cameras have issued over 12,000 citations for drivers passing a stopped school bus while the red lights were flashing. This week I want to talk about a specific issue that has reared its ugly head. This one involves parents at bus stops.

In several neighborhoods, it’s been noticed that parents are parking on the apron of a traffic circle to either drop off or pick up their student. The apron is the concrete area in the traffic circle between the roadway and the raised center of the circle. Stopping, standing, or parking in this area for even a brief period is a big no-no.
The apron is designed for large trucks to utilize to navigate the circle. As such, the apron is considered part of the roadway. Stopping here to drop off or pick up your student would be the same as if you stopped in the middle of Main Street Bel Air to run some errands. Not only is this dangerous for your child (having them walk through an active road to get to the bus) it is also a traffic law violation which could get you a fine of 70 dollars.

If this is you, please take this opportunity to not park in or on traffic circles. For everyone else, please stop for buses anytime they are stationary with flashing red lights. Safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Until next week, slow down, pay attention, wear your seatbelt, and drive safely.

HCSO Main Line – 410.838.6600
Northern Precinct – 410.692.7880
Southern Precinct – 410.612.1717
HCSO Traffic Unit – 443.409.3324
traffictiptuesday@harfordsheriff.org

Happy Valentines Day

February 11, 2025

Happy Valentine’s week everyone. Let’s go over a list of VALENTINE safety tips.

Vehicle speeds are the primary cause of many crashes. Slow down!

Always wear your seatbelt. You should buckle up every time you drive.

Learn about your car’s safety features. Newer vehicles have lots of ways to help you avoid a crash.

Every one of us has a responsibility when it comes to highway safety.

Never EVER drink and drive. Impaired driving kills thousands of Americans every year.

Tailgating and other forms of aggressive driving are never a good idea.

If you use cannabis, do not drive. Impairment is impairment, no matter what substance you use.

Never drive distracted. Leave your cell phone alone when you are driving.

Each time you drive, be sure to keep your hands on the wheel and your attention on the road.

In case you missed the theme, go back and read the first letter of each sentence. Cupid wants you to drive safely, and so do I.

Until next week, slow down, pay attention, wear your seatbelt, and drive safely.

HCSO Main Line – 410.838.6600
Northern Precinct – 410.692.7880
Southern Precinct – 410.612.1717
HCSO Traffic Unit – 443.409.3324
traffictiptuesday@harfordsheriff.org

Car Window Tints

January 28, 2025

This week, I am going to take a gigantic risk. I am going to stir the proverbial pot. Kick the beehive. Rock the boat. I am going to open a can of worms so large that a family of screech owls will be able to eat well for a month. This week I want to spend some time talking about window tint.

This is a hot topic, and many people online are very opinionated about it. While a small amount of window tinting can be beneficial in keeping your car cool in the summer, and reducing the number of UV rays to which you are exposed while driving, too much tint can cause problems. Let me just start with the facts. In the state of Maryland, you are allowed to tint the side windows of your vehicle as long as 35% of the natural light is able to come though. No tint is allowed on the windshield below the AS1 line. This is an area of the windshield that extends six inches down from the roof of the vehicle (stickers and decals are also included in this, but that is a post for another day).

There are two reasons why excessively dark tint is not legal in Maryland. The first reason is safety. Window tint that is too dark can make it difficult to see out of your vehicle, especially at night and in bad weather. Dark tint also makes is virtually impossible to communicate with other drivers and pedestrians. Making eye contact at a crosswalk or four-way stop intersection is vital when it comes to avoiding a collision.

Additionally, AAA.com says:

In the case of an emergency where a front window may need to be broken to escape from the vehicle, the film can make it more difficult to remove the glass. Aftermarket tint is made of a strong mylar film, which can be difficult to rip without a knife. Using a traditional spring-loaded escape tool, a tempered glass window shatters into many small cubes. But the tinting film will prevent this from happening the way it was intended too.

The second reason dark window tint is not legal in Maryland is because it obscures the identity of the driver. Many criminals use dark window tint in an effort to obscure their identity. Harford County has had a recent rash of crimes including robberies, thefts from vehicles, and violent assaults in which the suspects were operating vehicles covered in an illegal amount of tint. This makes it all but impossible to identify suspects in these crimes. Not to mention, the fact that an officer stopping a car with extremely dark tint is facing additional risks as they are unable to see the vehicle occupants and whether or not they may be armed. Traffic stops are one of the most dangerous things a police officer can do. Being able to see a weapon inside the vehicle is vital to keeping the officer safe.

In the end, window tint is fine and can be beneficial, if you follow the parameters of the law.

Until next week, slow down, pay attention, wear your seatbelt, and drive safely.

HCSO Main Line – 410.838.6600
Northern Precinct – 410.692.7880
Southern Precinct – 410.612.1717
HCSO Traffic Unit – 443.409.3324
traffictiptuesday@harfordsheriff.org