EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Texas is seeing an increase in unrestrained children dying in crashes and to combat that, the Texas Department of Transportation is hosting educational events.
That is part of National Child Passenger Safety Week, which runs from Sept. 21-27.
One of the most effective ways to protect children is often overlooked, TxDOT said, but it’s to make sure they are secure in a car seat every time they ride in a car.
In the El Paso area, there will be two events this week to help better educate parents, guardians and caretakers about the proper use of child seats.
- The first car seat check is 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24 at the Agua Dulce Community Center,15371 Kentwood Ave. in Agua Dulce.
- The second is scheduled for from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27 at Fox Acura, 7772 Gateway Blvd. East.
Both events are free, but caregivers must bring their ID, their children and their current car seat.
“The rise in unrestrained deaths is heartbreaking and unacceptable,” TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams said. “These tragedies are preventable. Every parent and caregiver must make it a non-negotiable habit to properly secure their child in a car seat or booster — every ride, every time. Children’s lives depend on it.”
The number of children younger than 8 who were unrestrained at the time of a fatal crash in Texas grew from 30% to 40% between 2023 to 2024. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that nationwide, 46% of all car seats are not correctly installed, putting children at unnecessary risk if they’re in a crash. That means nearly one out of two car seats are not being installed correctly.
According to TxDOT, in 2024, there were six passenger vehicle crashes in the El Paso District that resulted in five serious injuries and two fatalities for children younger than 8 years old. The same year, there were five passenger vehicle crashes in the El Paso District that resulted in four serious injuries and three fatalities for children ages 8-12.
TxDOT invites parents and caregivers to schedule a free car seat safety check by clicking here and entering their ZIP code to find the nearest TxDOT office.
Texas law requires all children under the age of 8 or shorter than 4 feet, 9 inches, to be in a car seat when riding in a passenger vehicle. Failure to properly restrain a child can result in a ticket of up to $250.
Learn more at DriveLikeATexan.com.
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