Kentucky officials urge safety as data shows 46% of car seats used incorrectly

KENTUCKY (FOX 56) — Team Kentucky is encouraging parents to practice passenger protection during National Child Passenger Safety Week.

Data shows that car crashes are the leading cause of death for children aged 1 to 13.

Research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 46% of car seats are being used incorrectly.

Common issues include a child being in the incorrect type of car seat for their age and size, as well as car seats not being properly installed, according to NHTSA. Both mistakes leave children more vulnerable to injury in a crash.

“It’s really important to get them to understand the importance of reading the instructions and make sure they’re following those instructions to the T, because that’s how those car seats were tested to be used. And they’re not installed correctly. They use the wrong belt path. They use the wrong harness slots. Those kinds of things can increase the risk of injury,” said Sharon Rengers of the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety.

Officials encourage parents and caregivers to speak with an expert about installing car seats for their children.