‘Save Me With a Seat’ campaign urges parents to check car seats
A high-speed vehicle crash and a misused child car seat can lead to an unthinkable disaster, which is why TxDOT is encouraging parents to schedule a free car seat safety check during its annual “Save Me With a Seat” campaign.
Vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among children in the nation, and according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 46% of all child car seats are misused. Select a car seat that’s appropriate for your children’s age and size.
DPS offers the following tips to ensure children are properly restrained in a vehicle:
• When selecting a car seat for your child, ensure it fits in your vehicle properly before purchasing it.
• Do not purchase a car seat if you are not aware of the history (i.e. yard sales, social media platforms, etc.).
• Model good behavior, make sure you are wearing your seat belt so your children will know it’s the right thing to do.
• Infant car seats should always be rear-facing, and never used forward-facing.
• Be sure to check the maximum height and weight limits of the car seat, so children may be properly transitioned to the next one.
• For older children who are using booster seats with lap belts, ensure the belt is across the pelvic area and the shoulder belt strap is placed across the shoulder. It should never be placed along a child’s neck or abdominal area. It should never be used under the arm or behind the back as it could cause severe injury in a crash.
• Texas law states all children younger than 8 years old, unless taller than 4’9”, are required to be in the appropriate car seat whenever they ride in a passenger vehicle. The car seat MUST be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Children 8 years and older must be in a seat belt, if an adult hasn’t properly restrained a child, they can receive a $250 ticket.
• Children under age 13 should ride in the back seat, properly secured in a seat belt or safety seat.
“When child car seats are used correctly, they can help reduce injuries and prevent fatalities when children are involved in a crash,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “We urge parents to schedule a car seat check today to ensure they are safely and correctly using the right car seat for their child.”
The “Save Me With a Seat” campaign will be highly visible during the month of September as a branded digital billboard truck travels across the state to make stops in 11 Texas communities. The digital truck will set-up at community events and other high-traffic locations to display messaging from the “Save Me With a Seat” campaign on lighted LED screens. The digital truck will also display video content that educates parents and caregivers on car seat safety. The public outreach campaign will be supported by TV and radio ads, billboards, digital media and social media.
TxDOT offers free car seat safety checks year-round. Parents and caregivers can visit SaveMeWithASeat.org and enter their zip code to find the nearest TxDOT Traffic Safety Specialist in their area to set up an appointment or view child car seat safety tips.
Request installation assistance from a National Child Passenger Safety Technician at one of our local DPS offices. You can find additional information on the DPS website.
In 2020, 78 children younger than eight years old died in traffic crashes in Texas, and 31 of those were unrestrained at the time of the crash. Among children ages eight-12 in 2020, 40 died in traffic crashes, with 16 of them unrestrained at the time of the crash. According to NHTSA, child car seats in passenger vehicles can reduce the risk of fatal injury in a crash by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddlers.
“Save Me With a Seat” is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while behind the wheel, like wearing a seat belt, driving the speed limit, never texting and driving and never driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. November 7, 2000, was the last deathless day on Texas roadways. #EndTheStreakTX asks all Texans to commit to driving safely to help end the streak of daily deaths.