Child Passenger Safety

Until child restraint safety seats came into widespread use, children often suffered the most serious injuries during vehicle collisions. At the same time that more parents are recognizing the value of using safety seats, there are still those who choose to hold small children in their arms when riding in a car. Still other parents use adult seat belts on small children not understanding that a seat belt can become lethal to a child during a crash.

In Comes the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

NHTSA has worked tirelessly to provide accurate and valuable information to parents concerned with child passenger safety. The result of major media campaigns and the enactment of stricter child safety laws is that the number of child deaths and injuries is finally decreasing. Low-cost programs that provide information and seminars on the proper use of child restraints have made a difference.

Children are defined as anyone from 0-16. Obviously, the wide range of sizes represented by this age range means that the proper restraint devices vary. Approved child safety seats are the best choice for infants and very small children. In order to provide maximum protection for the child, safety seats should be securely fastened in the center of the back seat.

Slightly older children can be transported in less cumbersome booster seats by using safety belts appropriately. Again, booster seats should be secured in the middle of the back seat of the vehicle. No heavy or sharp objects should be placed on the rear window shelf. Of major concern are the huge numbers of pre-teens and children up to 16 who simply do not wear seat belts of any kind. Adults should explain to these children that, during a collision, unbelted occupants in the car can literally be thrown against and kill other occupant who are wearing their belts. It is up to adult drivers to enforce the proper use of safety belts for all passengers.