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NEARLY HALF OF ALL CHILD CAR SEATS ARE USED INCORRECTLY
AUSTIN – Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among children. The TxDOT is issuing a call to action to parents and caregivers to ensure they are using and installing child car seats correctly.
While most people believe their children are properly buckled up, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) points out that 46% of all car seats are misused. As part of it’s annual “Save Me with a Seat” campaign, and in honor of National Child Passenger Safety Week Sept. 15–21, 2019, TxDOT is encouraging parents and caregivers to sign up for a free child car seat check-up at any of its 25 district offices located throughout Texas.
Also, TxDOT will host interactive events in eight Texas cities. It will feature the use of an augmented reality experience created to educate parents on child seat safety.
“Proper use of car seats offers the best protection for children in the event of a crash,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass. “We are making a concerted effort to make sure parents have their children securely buckled in the appropriate car seats, and that those seats are correctly installed.”
TxDOT’s free safety seat inspections are available throughout the year and take about 30 minutes. To schedule a seat check-up with a TxDOT Traffic Safety Specialist, visit SaveMeWithaSeat.org and enter your ZIP code to find the nearest TxDOT district office. Drivers also can find out if a child should be in a rear-facing, forward-facing, or booster seat, and get other child passenger safety tips by visiting the website.
Last year in Texas, 62 children younger than eight years old died in traffic crashes; 16 were unrestrained at the time of the accident. Among children ages 8-12, 56 killed in traffic crashes that same year; 21 were unrestrained at the time of the crash.
According to NHTSA, child car seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury in a crash by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddlers. TxDOT reminds drivers that Texas law requires all children under eight to be in a car seat whenever they ride in a passenger vehicle. That is unless they are taller than 4 feet, 9 inches. Failure to properly restrain a child can result in a ticket of up to $250. Children under age 13 should ride in the back seat, properly secured in a seat belt or safety seat.
The “Save Me with a Seat” campaign is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX. It is a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while on the road. Like going the speed limit, wearing a seat belt, never drinking and driving or texting and driving. November 7, 2000, was the last deathless day on Texas roadways. #EndTheStreakTX asks all Texans to commit to driving safely to help end the streak of daily deaths.
The information contained in this report represents reportable data collected from the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3). This information was received and processed by the department as of July 3, 2019.
TxDOT Atlanta District
For Sept. 8-14, 2019
Bowie County
SH 8 – At Sulphur River, replacing bridges.
Cass County
FM 3129 – From US 59 to SH 77, resurfacing highway.
SH 8 – At Sulphur River, replacing bridges.
Harrison County
SH 43 – at I-20 overpass, conducting preventative maintenance work on the bridge.
Loop 281 – at I-20 overpass, conducting preventative maintenance work on the bridge.
FM 9 – From FM 2625 to Panola County Line, resurfacing highway.
FM 451 – From 0.6 mile east of FM 31 to FM 9, resurfacing highway.
I-20 Frontage Road – From US 259 to Loop 281, repairing and resurfacing highway.
SH 43 – From Loop 390 to Haggerty Creek, repairing and resurfacing highway.
Morris County
SH 49 – From Titus County Line to FM 144, repairing and resurfacing highway.
Panola County
SH 149 – At SH 315, constructing overpass and widening the highway.
US 79 – From US 59 to Mill Creek, resurfacing highway.
Titus County
US 271 – At Ripley Creek and Ripley Creek Relief, replacing bridges.
FM 899 – At Dragoo Creek, replacing the bridge. Highway closed to through-traffic.
SH 49 – From FM 1735 to Morris County Line, repairing and resurfacing highway.
Upshur County
US 259 – From FM 557 to SH 155, repairing and resurfacing highway.
SH 155 – From US 259 to 5 miles south of US 259, resurfacing highway.
TxDOT Paris District
For Sept. 8-14, 2019
Hopkins, Franklin Counties
Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin Co. Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins Co. Maintenance (903) 885-4031.
SH 19, Hopkins County: At FM 71 in Birthright. Watch for short traffic delays as crews perform miscellaneous operations
SH 11, Hopkins County: From SH 19 to White Oak Creek. Watch for lane closures, and short traffic delays as teams begin performing dirt work activities; flaggers will direct traffic.
SH 154, Hopkins County: From IH 30 to Houston Street. Watch for lane closures and traffic delays as crews begin replacing drainage structure at Tennessee Street.
IH 30 South Frontage Road, Hopkins County: From Hunt County Line to FM 2653. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews begin upgrading guardrail.
Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties
Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561.
US 82, Red River County: from FM 1159 to Bowie County Line. Watch for temporary lane closures and traffic shifts while crews extend cross structures and widen pavement to install passing lanes.
FM 79, Lamar County: from Fannin county line to US 82. Watch for short shoulder and lane closures while crews upgrade metal beam guard fence.
FM 1497, Lamar County: from FM 1184 to FM 196. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews perform flexible pavement structure repairs along this section of roadway.
US 271 (Loop 286), Lamar County: south of BU82H. South-bound lane closure remains in place while crews extend the left turn lane at the Dawn Drive crossover.
US 271 pavement repair, Lamar and Red River Counties: from Loop 286 in Paris southeastward to SH 37. Watch for work zones and drive safely through construction areas as final work is being performed.
US 271 safety upgrades, Red River County: from FM 410 to the Red River-Titus County line. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures as final work is being performed.
SH 37 safety upgrades, Red River County: from the Texas-Oklahoma state line south to the Red River-Franklin County line. Watch for work zones as workers upgrade metal-beam guard fence, replace or extend new structures, and install safety end treatments.
FM 2648 widening, Lamar County: Watch for work zones and drive safely through construction areas as final work is being performed.