Hochul announces free car seat checks during Child Passenger Safety Week

Free car seat fittings offered at locations statewide

√ Says car seat checks ensure a correct fit and proper installation

√ Free fittings offered by appointment year-round

Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee announced free child car seat checks by certified child passenger safety technicians will be available across the state during Child Passenger Safety Week, which starts today and concludes with National Seat Check Saturday on Sept. 24. The events are part of a yearlong safety initiative in which state and local law enforcement agencies, together with various community safety partners, offer free fittings.

"Keeping kids safe on the road starts with making sure they have an appropriate booster or car seat," Hochul said. "New York has always and will always put the safety of our children first, and I encourage parents and caregivers to take advantage of this free opportunity to ensure their children are properly protected on our roadways."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2020, 755 children were killed in traffic crashes, and 42% of those children were unrestrained. That same year, an estimated 380 were injured every day in traffic cashes while riding in cars, SUVs, pickups, and vans.

New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and GTSC Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder said, "Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children, but correctly using a car seat, booster seat or seat belt is the most effective way to keep them safe while on the road. Providing parents and caregivers with safety information and training on how to properly install and use a child safety seat is crucial to protecting young lives on our roadways."

According to NHTSA, when used correctly, car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants (younger than one year old), and by 54% for toddlers (one to four years old) in passenger cars. While most parents believe they have properly installed their child's car seat, the seats were installed incorrectly in 46% of cases.

Trained technicians will use the model of "Learn, Practice, and Explain" to educate caregivers on how to select a child restraint that will fit their child, fit their vehicle and be used correctly every time.

Parents and caregivers can find free Child Passenger Safety Week car seat check events in their region or make an appointment at a year-round regional car seat fitting site.

In addition to car seat fittings, parents and caregivers can view a series of videos produced by NHSTA on proper installation of rear-facing and forward-facing car seats and booster seats. NHTSA also offers information on registering a car seat, finding the right car seat based on a child's age and size, and see ratings on all car seats.

For more information about GTSC, visit trafficsafety.ny.gov, or follow GTSC on Facebook and Twitter.