Free Child Safety Seat Checkup Event From 8-11am Today

According to official statistics, a child under the age of 13 is in a vehicle involved in a crash every 34 seconds in this country. Those are some pretty sobering numbers, and that's why the Texas Department of Transportation is partnering with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s Passenger Safety Project, the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Victoria County Extension Office to provide free inspections of child car restraints. 

This free event is set for Tuesday, Sept. 16. at College Church of Christ at 3200 N. Ben Jordan St. in Victoria from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. This location is adjacent to Terrace Head Start. Participants are asked to bring your child and seat and know the child’s weight and height.

This event is being held in conjunction with Child Passenger Safety Week. Organizers want to make sure all parents and caregivers are correctly securing all children in the right car restraints (rear-facing car seat, forward-facing car seat, booster seat or seat belt) for their ages and sizes.

Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will be on-hand to provide free education on how to use car seats, booster seats, and seat belts for children. Technicians can also help educate consumers about choosing the right car seat for their child, the importance of registering car seats with the manufacturer, and what to expect should that seat be subject to a safety recall.

Car seats, booster seats and seat belts offer the best protection for children in crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released the following data for crashes nationwide:

• Car crashes are a leading cause of death for children 1 to 13 years old.
• During the 5-year period from 2008 to 2012, more than 3,390 children were killed in car crashes. In addition, an estimated 613,000 children were injured.
• In 2012 alone, 121,000 children under age 13 were injured as passengers in car crashes.
• Based on U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash data, in 2012 on average, nearly 2 children under the age of 13 were killed and 332 were injured every day while riding in cars, SUVs, pickups, and vans.
• In 2012, over one third (37%) of children killed in car crashes were not in car seats, booster seats, or seat belts.
• Every 34 seconds one child, under age 13, is involved in a crash.

For those who are unable to attend this event, TxDOT offers free safety seat check-ups in each of the 25 district offices throughout Texas year round by appointment. To schedule an appointment, contact your area district traffic safety representative.