Between 1990 and 1999, 90,000 children under age 20 died in motor vehicle crashes. This means that every week, 33 children under the age of 10 died; and every week, 110 teens ages 16 to 20 died from crashes. During the same time, more than 8 million children were injured.

The National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI) identifies and shares successful activities at children’s hospitals nationwide that help educate families on child passenger safety. Across the country, children’s hospitals organize child car seat safety checks (and sometimes distribute seats to needy families), conduct educational programs and distribute passenger safety information translated into different languages.

Since children’s hospitals treat the majority of children injured in vehicle crashes, NACHRI-member hospitals are actively involved in advocating for laws that will prevent injuries and deaths and keep children safe. Legislative proposals include requiring school-age children to be appropriately restrained in cars and restricting driving privileges of teens during their first months of licensure.

For more information about the child passenger safety laws in Texas, go online and visit www.highwaysafety.org/safety-facts/state-laws/restrain.htm for valuable information and current updates.