Pittsburgh, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is reminding motorists to ensure their little ones buckle up every time they are in a vehicle in partnership with National Child Passenger Safety Week which runs through September 21.
Child Passenger Safety Week highlights the need for children to buckle up using the right car seat, booster seat, or seat belt every time they travel. Vehicle occupants of all ages are more likely to survive a crash when correctly secured in the right restraint.
Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children. According to national data, 46% of car seats and booster seats are misused. Seats are being installed improperly and children are being placed in the wrong car seat for their size and age. Sadly, two children under 13 years of age were killed every day in 2021 while riding in vehicles, and it is estimated that another 318 were injured.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), using the correct and properly installed car seat reduces the chance of fatal injury by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers. Adults should set an example by making sure they wear a seat belt each time they are in a vehicle and by stressing the importance of everyone buckling up for every trip.
Pennsylvania law requires any occupant younger than 18 years old to buckle up when riding in a vehicle, as well as drivers and front-seat passengers. Children under the age of two must be secured in a rear-facing car seat, and children under the age of four must be restrained in an approved child safety seat. Additionally, children must ride in a booster seat until they are eight years old.
Parents and guardians are reminded that Child Passenger Safety Technicians are available year-round to help ensure that seats are suitable and properly installed.
For more information, visit www.PennDOT.pa.gov/safety.
PennDOT's media center offers social-media-sized graphics highlighting topics such as seat belts, impaired driving, and distracted driving for organizations, community groups, or others who share safety information with their stakeholders.
For regional updates, follow PennDOT on X and join the Greater Pittsburgh Area PennDOT Facebook group.
Contact: Yasmeen Manyisha, ymanyisha@pa.gov
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