Better Data Collection on Child Restraint Use Mandated

Excerpt from CPS Express December 2015

Congress is paying attention to the work you do to make kids safer in cars. 

As part of the “FAST Act” Congress passed last week funding U.S. transportation programs, a new provision was included directing the Department of Transportation to improve crash data involving kids in car seats, section 24407, page 1104. It says that NHTSA will need to collect data on what kind of car seat was used in a crash, including five point harnesses and whether it was positioned in a rear- or forward- facing. The data will be helpful in making the case that there needs to be greater awareness about the need for car seat use and the role of technicians in ensuring that car seats are installed correctly. The provision was advanced in a bipartisan effort by Rep. Mia Love (R-UT) and Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), two co-chairs of the Congressional Kids Safety Caucus. Safe Kids will be communicating with NHTSA on the new crash data and look forward to any advice you might have. 

You can tweet a note of thanks to Rep. Mia Love (R-UT) and Rep. Grace Meng.

Let me know if you have any questions: Anthony Green, agreen@safekids.org