BISMARCK, ND - North Dakotans are used to traveling for various gatherings such as holidays, vacations, family reunions, and other occasions. During National Child Passenger Safety Week, North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS), in partnership with Vision Zero, reminds parents, caregivers, and all drivers to make sure everyone is buckled up, every trip, every time. A North Dakota family from Cass County is sharing their story of how they survived a vehicle crash.
In December 2023, Donald and Tanya Bitzan and their five children were traveling near Tappen, N.D., when they hit an icy patch on the road, causing their van to roll over and land upside down. Because the family took the time to buckle everyone in the vehicle correctly, the children, Tanya, and her unborn child were unharmed. Donald received only minor injuries.
The Bitzans want to share this story to let others know that choosing the right restraint based on the child’s age and size and making sure to install them correctly is worth the effort. It’s important to do this before every trip because more than half of serious crashes happen within 25 miles of home.
To raise awareness about the importance of child restraints, the family participated in a public service announcement and shared a longer version of their story. Both are available on the HHS Child Passenger Safety and Vision Zero websites.
Saved by the Belt award
To recognize their efforts in keeping their family safe and buckled up correctly, the North Dakota Highway Patrol and North Dakota Safety Council will be awarding the Bitzans with a Saved by the Belt award on Sept. 18, at the N.D. Department of Transportation (NDDOT) office in Fargo.
In 2023, almost three out of four car seats checked by certified child passenger safety technicians in North Dakota were misused. Common mistakes include not securing a child in a car seat properly and not installing car seats and boosters in vehicles correctly. When used right, child restraints reduce serious injury and save lives.
There are about 300 certified technicians in the state serving both rural and urban areas. These technicians can help caregivers choose the correct child restraint for their child’s age and size. They can also check to see if a seat is certified for safety, installed in the vehicle correctly, and if the child is secured correctly in the seat. These services are offered statewide.
To find help near you, visit hhs.nd.gov/childpassengersafety/help. If you are unable to locate help, call the HHS North Dakota Child Passenger Safety program for assistance at (701) 328-4533, 711(TTY).
HHS partners with Vision Zero on efforts to promote child passenger safety. Vision Zero is North Dakota’s traffic safety initiative to end motor vehicle fatalities on North Dakota roadways by establishing a culture of shared responsibility where motor vehicle fatalities and serious injuries are recognized as preventable and not tolerated.
MEDIA ADVISORY:
WHAT: Saved by the Belt award ceremony presentation to the Bitzan family
WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 18, 1 p.m., Central Time
WHERE: NDDOT building, 503 38th St. S., Fargo, ND (Access: Public entrance is located in the middle of the east side of the building.)
CONTACT: Capt. Bryan Niewind, (701) 239-8962 or bniewind@nd.gov