In connection with National Child Passenger Safety Week, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and its safety partners are reminding parents and caregivers about the importance of properly securing children when traveling in a motorized vehicle.
This year’s campaign runs from Sunday, September 21 through Saturday, September 27, 2025. The theme “Secure Their Future – One Ride at a Time” highlights the vital role that selecting and using the right car seat plays in protecting children.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), vehicle crashes continue to be the leading cause of death for children aged 4 and older.
In 2023, on average, two children under 14 were killed and 345 were injured each day in traffic crashes while riding in passenger vehicles nationwide. Additionally, 43% of children killed in vehicle crashes were unrestrained, according to NHTSA data.
“Parents and guardians have countless responsibilities when caring for children. One of the most important decisions they can make is to always ensure children are properly buckled up,” said Mike Tautin, a Community Traffic Safety Project Coordinator with the Highway Safety Network. “Seat belts have continuously proven to be a life-saving measure and are the best tool for keeping everyone in the vehicle safe.”
From 2020-2024, 82% of children under age 4 who were involved in crashes in Pennsylvania, and were restrained in an appropriate child seat, sustained no injuries, according to the Pennsylvania Traffic Injury Prevention Project (PA TIPP).
“The full benefits of seat belts and car seats can only be seen when they are used appropriately. At times, we encounter children in car seats that have been installed incorrectly and that can put the child at risk for serious harm if they are involved in a crash,” said Trooper Todd Bingman, Community Services Officer with Troop E of the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). “The state’s child passenger safety law provides clear guidelines on the type of restraint a child should be using based on their age and motorists have access to many free resources that can assist them with installation.”
Pennsylvania’s occupant protection law for children is as follows:
- Birth to Age 2 – Must be secured in a rear-facing car seat.
- Age 2 to 4 – Must be properly restrained in an approved child safety seat anywhere in the vehicle and should be in a rear-facing seat until the child outgrows the maximum weight and height limits designated by the car seat manufacturer.
- Ages 4 to 7 – Must be restrained in an appropriate booster seat and use a harness belt.
- Ages 8 and 18 – Must be in a seat belt regardless of where they are seated in the vehicle.
After a car seat has been successfully installed, motorists are encouraged to register it with the manufacturer to receive important information on recalls and safety notices. NHTSA offers an email alert regarding all car seat and booster seat recalls.
PennDOT provides funding for more than 75 fitting stations where trained technicians will check a child safety seat to ensure it is properly installed. Parents and caregivers can utilize the PA TIPP fitting station directory or NHTSA’s car seat inspection search to find a nearby site.
Furthermore, PSP offers designated walk-in days every month for a child safety seat technician to install or inspect child safety seats free of charge. A full listing can be found on the PSP official website at www.psp.pa.gov.
For more information child passenger safety, visit www.PennDOT.pa.gov/safety.
Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties at www.PennDOT.pa.gov/District1.
Follow local PennDOT news on X and like the department on Facebook.
MEDIA CONTACT: Saxon Daugherty, sadaughert@pa.gov or 814-678-7095
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