Vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among children in the nation, so the Texas Department of Transportation issued a press release to remind parents that one of the most important things they can do to protect children is to properly install and use a car seat.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that 46% of all child car seats are misused.
TxDOT’s “Save Me With a Seat” campaign kicks off in September to coincide with National Child Passenger Safety Week, Sept. 18–Sept. 24, 2022.
The campaign invites parents to schedule a free car seat safety check by visiting SaveMeWithASeat.org and entering their ZIP code to find the nearest TxDOT Traffic Safety Specialist in their area. TxDOT offers free car seat safety checks year-round.
The Midland Fire Department, 1800 W. Wall, is taking appointments from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, for free car seat inspections. Please call at Gina Rodriguez with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension at 432-271-7104 or Brianne Garcia at 432-559-4964.
“When child car seats are used correctly, they can help reduce injuries and prevent fatalities when children are involved in a crash,” TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams stated in the press release. “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.”
During September, the “Save Me With a Seat” campaign will be seen on Texas roadways as it rolls out an interactive truck with digital screens to travel across the state. The digital truck will make stops in 11 cities, appearing at community events and other high-traffic locations.
While stationary, the digital truck will share “Save Me With a Seat” campaign messaging and video content to educate parents and caregivers on car seat safety. This public outreach is supported by TV and radio ads, billboards, digital media and social media.
With the “Save Me With a Seat” campaign, drivers are reminded that Texas law requires all children under 8 — unless they are taller than 4 feet, 9 inches — to be in a car seat whenever they ride in a passenger vehicle. Failure to properly restrain a child can result in a ticket of up to $250. Children under age 13 should ride in the back seat, properly secured in a seat belt or safety seat.
In 2021, 78 children younger than 8 years old died in traffic crashes in Texas, and 22 of those were unrestrained at the time of the crash. Among children ages 8–12 in 2021, 36 died in traffic crashes, with 13 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.
