The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is organizing a series of free child passenger safety events during Child Passenger Safety Week, which runs from September 21 to 27, 2025. The initiative aims to help parents, guardians, and caregivers ensure their children are properly secured in vehicles by offering hands-on guidance from certified child passenger safety technicians.
Motor vehicle crashes continue to be a major cause of death among children. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that in 2023, 700 children died in passenger vehicle crashes across the United States, and more than 125,000 were injured. In Connecticut alone, 48 children under the age of 13 were injured last year due to not being restrained during a crash.
“Keeping our youngest passengers safe must always be a top priority,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Deputy Commissioner Laoise King. “Car seats are proven to save lives, yet nearly half are not installed correctly. Child Passenger Safety Week is an opportunity to give parents and caregivers the tools, information, and support they need to make sure every child is properly secured every time they’re on the road.”
According to NHTSA research, over one-third (43%) of children who died in passenger vehicle crashes in 2023 were unrestrained. The agency also found that while most parents believe they install car seats correctly, about half (46%) do not. Mistakes such as using an inappropriate seat for a child’s age or size and improper installation can increase risks during accidents. Proper use of car seats can reduce fatal injury risk by up to 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers.
At each event hosted by CTDOT and its partners, trained technicians will assist families with step-by-step car seat checks. They will verify that each seat matches the child’s needs and is installed properly. Attendees will also be encouraged to register their car seats with manufacturers for recall notifications.
Events are scheduled at several locations:
– Griffin Hospital in Derby on September 23
– Torrington Police Department on September 24
– Glastonbury Fire Department on September 25
– Cromwell Fire Department on September 27
– Enfield Central Library on September 27
– Yale New Haven Health’s clinic at Westport Train Station on September 27
Appointments are required for most events.
For additional resources on car seat safety or recall alerts, families can visit www.nhtsa.gov/therightseat.
