Nearly half of all child car seats are used incorrectly, according to TxDOT
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Department of Public Safety says that vehicle crashes are the leading cause of child deaths, and are calling on parents and caregivers to ensure they are using and installing child car seats correctly.
According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 46% of all car seats are misused.
Last year in Texas, 62 children younger than 8 years old died in traffic crashes; 16 were unrestrained at the time of the crash. Among children ages 8-12, 56 died in traffic crashes that same year; 21 were unrestrained at the time of the crash. In the Austin District last year, there were 23 passenger vehicle crashes that resulted in 25 serious injuries and two fatalities for children younger than 8 years old.
According to NHTSA, child car seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury in a crash by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddlers.
TxDOT also reminds drivers that state law requires all children under 8 – unless they are taller than 4 feet, 9 inches – to be in a car seat whenever they ride in a passenger vehicle.
As part of its annual “Save Me with a Seat” campaign, and in honor of National Child Passenger Safety Week Sept. 15–21, 2019, TxDOT is encouraging parents and caregivers to sign up for a free child car seat check-up at any of its 25 district offices located throughout Texas.
The inspection takes about 30 minutes.
