Recognizing September 15-21, 2019, as National Child Passenger Safety Week and September 21 as National Seat Check Saturday.
By designating National Child Passenger Safety Week and National Seat Check Saturday, HR1158 seeks to increase public awareness regarding child passenger safety. The campaign encourages organizations and businesses across the country to provide free car seat inspections and educate families on how to correctly install child safety seats. The goal is to significantly reduce the risks associated with unrestrained child passengers in vehicles, which have been shown to increase the likelihood of serious injury or death in the event of a crash.
House Resolution 1158 recognizes September 15-21, 2019, as National Child Passenger Safety Week and September 21 as National Seat Check Saturday. This initiative highlights the critical importance of child safety in vehicles and aims to educate parents and caregivers about the proper use of car seats and seat belts to prevent child injuries and fatalities resulting from automobile crashes. The resolution underscores the alarming statistic that, in 2016, Texas had the highest number of child motor vehicle fatalities in the United States, with many fatalities linked to improper use of child restraint systems.
The passage of such a resolution garners broad support from lawmakers and safety advocates alike, who argue that greater awareness and education are essential to combat the high rates of child fatalities linked to vehicle accidents. Though typically non-controversial, the sponsorship of campaigns and educational initiatives can sometimes provoke discussions among legislators about ongoing funding and resources for child safety programs, especially in regions with high rates of motor vehicle incidents involving children.