Motor Vehicle Safety

Motor vehicle crashes are by far the leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths for children ages 14 and under.

ALWAYS RIDE BUCKLED UP IN THE BACK SEAT IN A CHILD SAFETY SEAT

Children should be properly restrained in booster seats until they are at least 8 years old, unless they are 4'9” tall, when they are usually big enough to wear a lap-shoulder belt.

Seat belts are the MOST effective way to reduce fatalities and serious injuries in a car crash. Seat belts actually save over 10,000 lives in America every year. They are designed so that the forces in a crash are absorbed by the strongest areas of your body - the bones of your hips, shoulder and chest. The belt will hold your body in place!

RULE OF THUMB: Children ages 12 and under should ride in the back seat The safest place is in the center of the back seat.

Never place a shoulder strap under a child's arm or behind the back. If the strap crosses the child's face or throat, use a booster seat in addition to a safety belt.

WHAT IS THE CORRECT WAY TO WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT?

The lap portion of your seat belt should sit snugly along your pelvis/lap, NEVER ACROSS YOUR STOMACH. The shoulder belt should cross your chest and NEVER sit on your neck. DO NOT place the strap behind your back.

Family members need to act as good role models and use safety belts at all times.