TXDOT Launches “Buckle Them Right” Campaign During Child Passenger Safety Week — Sept. 19-25
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Sep 20, 2010, 0 Comments
Courtesy TxDot,
[Austin, Sept. 20 2010] – According to figures from the National Center for Health Statistics, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children 3 to 14 years old. The National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that roughly 3 out of 4 child safety seats are not used correctly.
Correctly installed child safety seats and booster seats save lives – offering the best protection for children in the event of a crash. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), along with SafeKids, will be offering free safety seat check-ups throughout Texas during Child Passenger Safety Week, Sept. 19-25.
“Child restraint seats can be complicated to install and use correctly and we want to make sure Texas families are buckling their children up right,” said Carol T. Rawson, P.E., Traffic Operation Director for the Texas Department of Transportation. “We want to encourage adults to read the child safety seat instructions, in addition to the vehicle manual on installation, in order to protect our smallest Texans.”
On Saturday, Sept. 25, TxDOT and SafeKids certified technicians will offer hands-on child safety seat inspections at locations across the state for free to help Texas families learn to secure their children in the appropriate child safety seat, booster seats and seat belts. More information on how to properly secure children and where to find a child safety seat check point is available at www.bucklethemright.org.
A 2009 study conducted by the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) in 14 cities across the state found that 13.6 percent of observed children were riding unrestrained. The same study found that almost one third of children observed in child safety seats were restrained in an unsafe manner.
The Texas Child Restraint Law was changed in 2009, requiring all children younger than 8 years old, unless taller than 4 feet 9 inches, to be in child restraint seats or booster seats in the car. After June 2010, fines of up to $25 for a first offense and $250 for a second offense may be issued.
Visit www.bucklethemright.org to learn more about the 4 Steps for Kids guidelines for determining which restraint system is best suited to protect children based on their age and size and where to find a child safety seat check point. The website also features video demonstrations on installing child safety seats and crash test simulations, where parents and caregivers can see firsthand the effects of improper child restraint. For more information, you can visit the NHTSA site at
http://www.nhtsa.gov/Safety/CPS or SafeRiders at http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/saferiders/default.shtm.
