Car & Road Safety
Safe Kids tends to do a lot of work focusing specifically on Child Passenger Safety (car seats, booster seats, etc.), but there are also many other safety topics within this section! Take a look at the bottom of the page for more information on heatstroke prevention, pedestrian safety, and more.
Please note that the SKPA State Office does NOT provide free or low-cost car seats at this time. We recommend using the PA Traffic Injury Prevention Project to find a loaner seat instead (link below).
Child Passenger Safety Basics
- Misuse of child safety seats is widespread. Estimates show that approximately 75-85 percent of children placed in child safety seats and booster seats are improperly restrained.
- Driver safety belt use is positively associated with child restraint use.
- The back seat is the safest place for children to ride. Estimates show that children ages 12 and under are 36 percent less likely to die in a crash if seated in the rear seat of a passenger vehicle.
Finding Child Passenger Safety Resources in PA
- Find a Car Seat Loaner Program at the Traffic Injury Prevention Project
- We recommend you search by the county you reside in for best results
- Find a Fitting Station for a Seat you already have
- Register Your Car Seat
Right seat, Right time and used the Right way every time!
The best way to protect a child in the car is to use the right seat at the right time and the right way every time the child rides. Not sure what seat you need? Take a look at the links to the right to help you out!
Recommendations to Keep Children Safe in the Vehicle
- Select a car seat based on the child’s age and size, choose a seat that fits in your vehicle and use it every time. Try to wait as long as possible based on height and weight before moving your child up to the next seat.
- Always refer to your specific car seat manufacturer’s instructions; read the vehicle owner’s manual on how to install the car seat using the seat belt or LATCH system; and check height and weight limits on the car seat.
- To maximize safety, keep a child in the car seat for as long as possible, as long as the child fits within the manufacturer’s height and weight requirements.
- Keep children in the back seat at least through age 12.
- Register any car seat or booster seat you have, and don’t purchase one without knowing its full history or if it’s expired.
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