Keeping Child Passengers Safe

My passion is helping families keep their infants and children safe while traveling in the car. Probably the most risky thing we do every day is driving our cars, and even though we do not plan for a car crash, this happens to people just like you every day-often with children in the car. Keeping yourself and your child passengers safe should be something you plan for and implement on a daily basis.

On September 1, 2009, a new law in Texas took effect stating:
“A person commits an offense if the person operating a passenger vehicle, transports a child who is younger than eight years of age, unless the child is taller than four feet, nine inches, and does not keep the child secured during the operation of the vehicle in a child passenger safety seat system according to the instructions of the manufacturer of the safety seat system.”

Since this change in September of 2009, law enforcement officials have only enforced this law with verbal or written warnings. However, beginning on June 1, 2010, officers may arrest or issue a citation/notice to appear in court to a person committing this offense. A fine of not more than $25.00 can be assessed for the first offense and no more than $250.00 for the second or subsequent offenses. Fines collected from this offense will be used to buy booster seats for children of low-income families thus the focus will be placed on education instead of punishment.

This law aims to strengthen current child passenger safety protections. Each year, nearly 1,600 children die in motor vehicle crashes. Unrestrained children are more likely to be severely injured or die in car crashes than those who are restrained. I am glad our laws are improving but really hope that parents will want to do the best thing for their children to improve their safety, regardless of the law and fines.

Children should use a car safety seat with a harness for as long as possible, to the upper height or weight limits of the seat. Most car safety seats fit children up to 40 pounds, and some fit children up to 65 to 80 pounds. Once a child graduates from a car safety seat with a harness at a minimum of 40 pounds, a booster seat may be used. Using a booster seat in the rear seat of the vehicle reduces a child’s risk of injury by almost 60%!

Tips for using a booster seat include:
1. ALWAYS read and follow the instructions for the vehicle and the booster seat.
2. A lap-shoulder belt MUST be used with a booster seat. NEVER use only a lap belt with a booster seat.
3. Always use the booster in the back seat of the vehicle and if possible, the center of the back seat is safest.
4. Teach your child to buckle up and to pull up on the shoulder belt to make the lap part snug. The lap part should be on top of the thighs or low on the hips. The shoulder part should be across the middle of the shoulder. If the should belt hits the child in the neck, you can lower the shoulder belt height adjuster in your car, or use the shoulder belt adjuster that came on the booster seat.
5. NEVER allow your child to place the shoulder belt behind their back or under their arm. This can result in very serious injury.
6. Always secure a booster with the seat belt when it is not being used. A loose booster can fly around in a sudden stop or crash and injure others in the car. Often the child will be willing to buckle in a doll, teddy bear or their imaginary friend into the booster as they are leaving the car.

So, with all that said, I encourage you to do the right thing. Buckle up, and always buckle your child or children in their child safety seats. It is the right thing to do!! If you need assistance with using your child safety seats call 1-877-THR-WELL to schedule your free appointment with one of the Texas Health Child Passenger Safety Technicians. Our next free Car Seat Check event is on June 8. Please call 1-877-THR-WELL to reserve your spot.

Julie Smith, RN, MS
Perinatal Educator
Child Passenger Safety Technician
Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford