Texas Border Businesses
AUSTIN – In celebration of Child Passenger Safety Week, Sept. 15-20, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is encouraging drivers to learn about the best ways to use child car seats to help keep the state’s youngest passengers safe on the roads.
“Children imitate the adults around them, so it’s critical that parents, grandparents and loved ones demonstrate the importance of wearing seat belts and following other safety precautions in the car,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “The greatest protection for children in a car crash is being properly belted in the right car seat, and we urge all drivers to familiarize themselves with these best practices as soon as possible.”
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 13. In 2022 alone, 1,129 children died in motor vehicle crashes.
DPS offers the following tips to ensure children are properly restrained while in a vehicle:
When choosing a car seat for your child, make sure it fits your vehicle properly before purchasing it. Avoid buying a car seat if you don’t know its history (garage sale, social media platforms, etc.). Model good behavior for your young passengers, make sure they wear their seat belt, and let your child know it’s the right thing to do. Always use infant car seats rear-facing, never forward-facing. Check the maximum height and weight limit of the car seat so your child can transition properly to the next car seat. For older children using booster seats with lap belts, make sure the belt crosses the pelvic area and the shoulder belt straps are on the shoulders. Do not position it along your child’s neck or abdomen. Do not use it under the armpits or behind the back, as this can cause serious injury in a crash. Texas law requires that all children under the age of 8 must use an appropriate car seat wherever they ride in a passenger vehicle, unless they are over 4 feet 9 inches tall. Car seats must be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Children over 8 years of age must wear a seat belt. Adults who fail to properly restrain a child face a $250 fine.
At locations across the state, certified technicians are available to inspect and assist with the installation of your child car seat. To find a location near you, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.
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