Accidental injuries are the leading cause of death among Texans ages 1-44; motor vehicle crashes account for the majority of these deaths.
Child Passenger Safety
In 2010, on average, almost two children age 12 and younger in a passenger vehicle were killed and 325 children were injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes each day in the U.S. This fatality rate could be reduced by about half if the correct child safety seats were always used. In Texas, during 2010, 38 children died in motor vehicle crashes while only 53% of those children were restrained.
Texas law requires children under the age of 8 to be restrained in a properly fitting car seat unless the child is 57” tall. For a listing of state laws dealing with child passenger safety, see: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/saferiders/CPSlaw.shtm.
For maximum child passenger safety, parents and caregivers should follow these guidelines:
- Birth - 12 months. Children under age 1 should always ride in a rear-facing car seat.
- 1 - 3 years. Keep children rear-facing as long as possible. It’s the best way to keep him safe.
- 4 - 7 years. Keep children in a forward-facing car seat with a harness until he reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer.
- 8 - 12 years. Keep children in a booster seat until she is big enough to fit in a seat belt properly.
For additional information on child safety seats, see www.safercar.gov/therightseat
Bicycle Safety
Bicycling is an excellent form of transportation and recreation. The following resources will help make cycling fun and safe.
Community Partners, Coalitions and Workgroups
