NHTSA Highlights Seat Belts and Car Seats During Child Passenger Safety Week
Child Passenger Safety Week highlights the importance of buckling kids up.
During Child Passenger Safety Week (Sept. 18-24), NHTSA is asking the public to make sure children are properly buckled up in the proper car seat for their relative size and age. "Risking the safety of future generations by letting children ride unrestrained is not acceptable," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. "Seat belts and car seats save lives and need to be used on every trip."
According to a study of 2015 use, 37.4 percent of children ages 4 to 7 in the United States were not being properly restrained. Hispanic and African-American children tended to have lower restraint use.
"When children are not buckled up or are riding in a seat that isn't used correctly, their safety is in jeopardy," said NHTSA Administrator Dr. Mark Rosekind. "You can act by making sure your kids are buckled up and in the right car seats for their age and size. This week, and on National Seat Check Saturday [Sept. 24], free public events will be held across the country. Help keep them safe, today and every day, by attending a car seat inspection event near you."