The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), in conjunction with Texas A&M AgriLife and Bowie County, is extending a warm invitation to the public to participate in a free car seat inspection event.
Taking place today, May 30th, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Texas High School on 4001 Summerhill Road, this initiative aims to raise awareness about the importance of child passenger safety.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a staggering 46 percent of child car seats in use today are improperly installed. To address this issue, certified technicians will be present on-site to conduct thorough inspections, ensuring that car seats are correctly installed. Furthermore, caregivers will be provided with valuable information regarding the appropriate type of safety seat for children based on their age and size.
TxDOT says, “When car seats are used correctly, they can help reduce injuries and prevent fatalities in the event that a child is involved in a crash.”
Texas A&M’s Agrilife Extension offers a comprehensive 4-hour course designed to educate and inform the public on the intricacies of child passenger safety. Participants in the course will receive detailed instruction on Texas laws pertaining to car seats and seat belts, as well as guidance on identifying and correcting common car seat mistakes. The various types of car seats and their appropriate usage will be discussed, along with step-by-step instructions on properly installing car seats using seat belts and LATCH. The course will also provide an overview of selecting the right seat based on the child’s age and size, incorporating videos and hands-on scenarios for enhanced learning.
Highlighting the importance of selecting the right car seat for each child, the event emphasizes the use of rear-facing car seats for children up to 2 years old and weighing up to 40 pounds. Once children surpass this age and weight limit, a forward-facing car seat is recommended until they reach 50 pounds. As children grow older, a booster seat is advised for those aged 4 years and above, weighing at least 40 pounds but no more than 100 pounds. Finally, at 4 feet 9 inches tall and between 8 to 10 years old, children can transition to using the seatbelt.
No prior appointment is required to participate in this initiative. Another car seat inspection event will be held in Linden, Texas on Thursday, also from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Those who can’t attend but would like to have their car seat inspected can visit savemewithaseat.org. Join TxDOT and Texas A&M AgriLife in their collective effort to safeguard the well-being of young passengers on Texas roads through enhanced car seat safety.
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