Buckle Up Right: Alarming Data Shows 46% of Children Not Properly Secured in Car Seats

Car Seats

Vehicle crashes remain one of the leading causes of death among minors, with officials emphasizing that many of these tragedies could be prevented if children were properly secured in car seats. According to data from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), a staggering 46% of children are not using their car seats correctly, putting them at risk of serious injury or death in the event of a crash.

Ray Pedraza, a spokesperson for TxDOT, stressed the importance of using the right car seat for children. “School-aged children are safest riding in a forward-facing seat or a booster seat until the vehicle’s seatbelt fits them properly. And that’s usually when they’re taller than four feet, nine inches and between eight and 12 years old,” he said.

To help ensure children’s safety on the road, officials are offering free car seat inspections in collaboration with TxDOT. Parents and caregivers can visit www.savemewithaseat.org, enter their zip code, and log their information to schedule a visit for a free car seat inspection.

Failure to properly secure a child in a car seat can result in a ticket of up to $250, but the real cost of not buckling up correctly can be far more devastating. Officials urge parents and caregivers to take advantage of the free car seat inspections to protect their children and prevent avoidable tragedies on the road.