TxDOT’s car seat safety checks can keep your children safe

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - According to the Texas Department of Public Transportation, the leading cause of death for children in Texas is car crashes due to improper child restraints.

“This is absolutely life and death,” said Heather Singleton, the TxDOT Tyler Traffic Safety Specialist.

Texas law requires all children under 18, unless taller than 4 feet 9 inches, to be in a car seat whenever they ride in a motor vehicle. Children under the age of 13 should ride in the backseat, properly secured in a seat belt or booster chair.

“When a child is in a booster seat, it does just that. Boost them up so that they fit the seat belt properly. When a child is in a booster it prevents the seatbelt from being on the soft tissue of the neck and soft tissue on the belly,” said Singleton.

TxDOT hosted a free car seat safety check event where families were able to learn how to properly install their child’s car seat.

“I definitely learned a lot today about the car seats because the way I was putting them in versus the way I learned today was completely different,” said Keonnis Johnson.

Johnson is not alone. According to TxDOT, 46 percent of all child car seats are misused.

“About 3 out of every 4 seats are misused that we see. Just about anyone who comes, whether they have read the manual, gone to other classes, if they haven’t had a certified technician check for them, it is helpful to come because almost everyone has something to improve on,” said Singleton.

Car seats do have an expiration date. To check, look under the car seat for the manufacturer’s sticker. Most car seats are good for 10 years after the expiration date, but it is recommended to check the manual first.

If the car seat is expired or been involved in a crash, the seat needs to be replaced to ensure the integrity of the seat’s safety features.

TxDOT offers free safety checks year round. Learn more here.

Copyright 2025 KLTV. All rights reserved.