(MSC News)--Child Passenger Safety Week is underway, with the Kansas Highway Patrol joined by local law enforcement agencies in the effort of keeping an eye out for violations involving unbuckled children. 

Running now through September 20th, increased patrols will be noticed around schools as part of the campaign. 

Motorists are reminded to make sure they and all passengers, including children, are buckled up when heading down the road to avoid both a legal penalty and potential tragedy, as Child Passenger Safety Week continues through Saturday. 

In 2013, 28 children ages 0-17 lost their lives due to car crashes in Kansas. Sadly, 18 of those children were not wearing their seat belts, and 16 of the 18 were ejected from the vehicle.

According to the 2014 Kansas observational seat belt survey, children are much more likely to be buckled up if the driver is wearing their seat belt. If the driver is buckled, about 96% of the children are restrained. If the driver is not buckled, only about 21% of the observed children were buckled. We want adults to model good driver behavior for the children.

Throughout National Child Passenger Safety Week, September 14-20, law enforcement across Kansas will be extra-vigilant when patrolling around schools. For more than twenty years, officers have educated and warned drivers and passengers regarding the importance of using seat belts while in their vehicle.

There should be no surprises when it comes to this enforcement effort. Officers will issue citations to anyone who does not obey Kansas law.

Local law enforcement will be patrolling around schools during National Child Passenger Safety Week (September 14 – 20), and will be issuing citations to drivers or passengers who are not buckled up properly.

Ages 0-13 Fine: $ 60.00 plus Court Cost (KSA 8-1343)

Ages 14-17 Fine $ 60.00 No Court Cost (KSA 8-2501)

Ages 18 and Above $10.00 No Court Cost (KSA 8-2501)

For the latest data and to see more about Kansas safety belt laws, go to: www.ktsro.org