As part of its annual "Save Me with a Seat" campaign and in honor of National Child Passenger Safety Week, Sept. 1521, the Texas Department of Transportation is encouraging parents and caregivers to sign up for a free child car seat check-up at any of its 25 district offices.
Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among children. TxDOT is asking parents and caregivers to ensure they are using and installing child car seats correctly.
While most people believe their children are properly buckled up, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration points out that 46% of all car seats are misused.
TxDOT also will be hosting interactive events in eight Texas cities, featuring the use of an augmented-reality experience created to educate parents on child seat safety.
TxDOT's free safety seat inspections are available throughout the year and take about 30 minutes. To schedule a seat check-up with a TxDOT traffic safety specialist, visit SaveMeWithaSeat.org and enter your ZIP code to find the nearest TxDOT district office. Drivers also can find out if a child should be in a rear-facing, forward-facing or booster seat and get other child passenger safety tips by visiting the website.
The "Save Me with a Seat" campaign is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices, such as going the speed limit, wearing a seat belt and never drinking and driving or texting and driving. November 7, 2000, was the last day when no fatalities were seen on Texas roadways.