Kaikohe Police have been out educating motorists on the new child restraint laws to keep young children safe on the roads.
Last week Police staff joined the Ngatï Hine Health Trust in a child restraint and seat belt campaign.
As part of the campaign a checkpoint was held last week, stopping all drivers transporting children and babies to the Kaikohe East School and Early Childhood Centre on Purdy Street.
The campaign, which will include further checkpoints around Kaikohe, aims to reduce the number of deaths and serious injury inflicted on children by ensuring the correct us of child restraints and seatbelts.
On November 1 this year changes to the child restraint laws mean that all children up to the age of seven must be secured in an approved child restraint.
The law continues to require all children aged seven to be secured in an approved child restraint if one is available and, if not, in any child restraint or safety belt.
During the checkpoint, which ran from 8.15am to 9.15am, 21 vehicles carrying children were stopped. Four children aged under five years were unrestrained and five children were not restrained correctly.
Kaikohe Sergeant Sarah Hewitt said although it was a concern to see some young children still not being restrained in vehicles, it was good to see a majority were taking their children's safety seriously and complying with the law.
Ms Hewitt said the checkpoint focused on educating motorists about the changes to the law and information on the laws was handed out to those who were stopped.
She said Police had positive feedback from the drivers.
"Police have a strong focus on education, but there will be no tolerance for people who put children's lives at risk by wilfully ignoring the law or failing to restrain a child where restraints are available."
For media inquiries contact Northland Police Communications Manager Sarah Kennett on 09 430 4525 or 021 192 1099.