After children were ejected from an accident, San Antonio authorities stress the need to use child seats and ensure they are installed properly

Six children were seriously injured on September 1 when they were thrown from an SUV on Interstate 35 when one of the vehicle's tires burst and the driver crashed into a tree.

San Antonio police said there were no child safety seats installed in the vehicle and that six children, ages 2 to 11, were not wearing seat belts.

The driver of the vehicle is accused of child endangerment, and according to SAPD, the case is still under investigation as of Monday.

The accident highlights a larger problem: In the San Antonio area, 300 people die every day in accidents caused by impaired driving, speeding or distraction.

“When we buckle our children into the proper safety seats and booster seats, we know we can save a life,” TXDOT Director Dale Picha said Monday at an event marking National Child Passenger Safety Week at University Health's new Women's and Children's Hospital.

But 46% of child seats are used incorrectly, according to the National Highway Safety Administration. And that's a big problem because car accidents are one of the leading causes of death and injury among children.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year 600 children ages 12 and younger die in car crashes and more than 106,000 children are injured across the country.

“This tragedy underscores a simple but tragic truth,” said Municipal Court Presiding Judge Carla Obledo. “I'm sure the caregivers in this situation could never have imagined that their lives would change forever that day. … As a judge who often sees cases like this, I can assure you that it happens more often than you might think.”

According to San Antonio Municipal Court records, 889 people have been cited for improper use of seat belts or lack of child seats in the past six months.

Texas law requires all children under the age of 8 to be secured in a car seat every time they travel in a car, unless the child is taller than 5'7″, in which case they must be buckled in. Failure to properly secure a child can result in a fine of up to $250, or even more severe penalties if the child is seriously injured.

“You don't have to be a rocket scientist to see how important this is,” Shayla Rivera, a former NASA aerospace engineer turned comedian, said at the event. “But now, as a grandmother, car seats have become a technology. Sometimes I feel like you have to be a rocket scientist to see that, and that's why there's no shame in asking for help.”

Child seats save lives

A big mistake parents make is forgoing booster seats when their children have outgrown their old car seats, says Jennifer Northway, director of injury prevention at University Hospital.

Booster seats are designed to protect children in a crash by elevating them so that seat belts fit properly around their bodies. If the belts don't fit properly, children can be thrown from the vehicle and crushed into the ground, she said.

And when children suffer serious injuries in accidents, they are often treated at University Health, the only Level 1 pediatric trauma center in South Texas.

The average cost of booster seats and child seats poses a hurdle for some families, but they can be life-saving.

The county health system's Buckle Up program provides parents with education about child road safety through training and seat checks, workshops and more in English and Spanish. For more information, call 210-358-4295.

However, there are not enough certified car seat technicians, so the program is working to meet the need and certify more car seat technicians. Their team consists of four certified technicians, but they are joined by additional certified volunteers from around the state at community safety events to provide additional safety checks.

Register for a free car seat safety check and have your seats inspected by certified technicians from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at Seat Check at Walmart at 12550 Leslie Road in Helotes.

Methodist Healthcare and Methodist Healthcare Ministries are also hosting a free event from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at 4507 Medical Drive where families can have their car seats installed by certified technicians.

“I would rather see you and your family at our preventive measures, do a car seat check and make sure it is installed properly, and help you if not, than see you or your loved one in our trauma department,” said Dr. Katie Wiggins-Dohlvik, Medical Director of Pediatric Trauma at University Health and Assistant Professor at UT Health San Antonio.

After children were ejected from an accident, San Antonio authorities stress the need to use child seats and ensure they are installed properly

You may also like...

Recent Posts

After children were ejected from an accident, San Antonio authorities stress the need to use child seats and ensure they are installed properly

You may also like...

Renuka Swamy murder accused Darshan gets VIP treatment in Bengaluru jail; caught smoking and laughing – PIC

Live blog for the Apple event: iPhone 16, Apple Watch Series 10, AirPods 4 presented

Meet your 2024 U17 Women's Freestyle World Team

Recent Posts