Child Passenger Safety

Did You Know?

• Motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death among children ages 1 to 19.
• Children ages 2 to 5 who use safety belts prematurely are four times more likely to suffer a serious head injury in a crash than those in child safety seats or booster seats.
• Of those children ages 8 and under who died in vehicle crashes in 2011, 29 percent were unrestrained.
• Children should ride in the back seat until they are at least 13 years old.

Working For Change

One of the greatest achievements in child injury prevention has been in child passenger safety.

Safe Kids hosts child restraint inspection events across the country. At these events, child passenger safety technicians teach families how to transport children correctly. They also help make sure everyone in a vehicle is buckled up on every ride. Most events are open to the public. You’ll find them in central locations such as General Motors dealerships, hospitals, community centers and shopping centers around the country.

Find a Safe Kids child restraint check-up event near you.

Mobile Car Seat Checkup Vans

Safe Kids also has more than 125 Mobile Car Seat Checkup Vans serving families across the United States. Each Chevrolet van is specially designed to turn any parking lot into a full-service child restraint safety event site. Almost every state has at least one van in operation.

Inspection Stations

Safe Kids coalitions operate about 500 permanent child passenger safety inspection stations throughout the United States. Inspection stations are open regularly to teach parents and caregivers how to safely transport children. You’ll find them in central locations such as General Motors dealerships, hospitals, fire stations and insurance companies. Find an inspection station near you.

Public Policy

Our work includes ensuring that infants and small children are in child restraint systems in vehicles, making vehicles safer and fighting for strong drunk driving laws.

Partners

Our work to promote child passenger safety is made possible by General Motors and the General Motors Foundation, widely recognized for their continuing commitment and dedication to children and families.

Additional Resources

We also offer the following tools to teach and remind families about child passenger safety:

• Motor Vehicle Safety Fact Sheet
• Child Passenger Safety Tip Sheet
• Learn more about how to keep your child safe while riding in the car