The Amherst Police Department is committed to keeping our children safe. 

We recognize that motor vehicle crashes pose a tremendous risk for children. Four children, 12 and under, were killed and 98 received incapacitating injuries in motor vehicle crashes in Massachusetts in 2002.

When properly installed, child safety seats reduce the risk of death in a motor vehicle crash by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers. Safety belts reduce the risk of death or serious injury in a motor vehicle crash by up to 50%.  

The Amherst Police Department will be conducting Child Passenger Car Seat inspections on the 3^rd SATURDAY of each month, by appointment only.  Open to Amherst residents only, our certified technicians will thoroughly inspect child passenger car seats for wear and effectiveness and install it properly to assure the safest ride for our children.   To schedule a 30 minute appointment either e-mail the Amherst Police Department at police@amherstma.gov  or call 413-259-3355 and leave a voicemail.  This program is open to Amherst residents only.  Out of town residents may contact the Western MA SAFE KIDS Coalition, which conducts weekly checkpoints on Thursdays, 10 am to 5 pm by appointment only at (413) 794-2255.

 For more information on Child Passenger Safety and other traffic safety tips, go to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website. Or the MASS.GOV web stie at www.mass.gov/childsafetyseats