WHAT MATTERS MOST
- Using the right car seat can cut a child’s injury risk in a crash by up to 82%, but NHTSA says about half of all car seats are installed incorrectly.
- Kids should move through stages as they grow — rear-facing, then forward-facing with a harness, then a booster — usually staying in each stage until they outgrow it, not switching too early.
- This matters in taxis and rideshares too, not just your own car — and if your child is injured in a crash due to someone else’s negligence, a lawyer can help you understand your options.
Whether you own a vehicle, travel with family members, or regularly rely on taxis and rideshare services, keeping children properly restrained should be a priority every time you travel through New York City.
That message is especially timely during Child Passenger Safety Week, September 20 through September 26, 2026. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is using the week to remind parents and caregivers to check whether their children are riding in the correct safety seat for their age and size.
For families traveling throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, it is an ideal time to review child passenger safety practices.
Car Seats Save Lives
The numbers underscore the importance of proper restraints.
According to NHTSA, approximately 160,850 children ages 14 and younger were injured in traffic crashes across the country in 2024, and 677 children died. Correctly installed car seats can decrease the risk of fatal injury in passenger car crashes by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers.
CDC data also demonstrates the value of using the correct restraint. The agency reports that car seat use can decrease children’s risk of injury in a crash by between 71 and 82 percent when compared with using a seat belt alone.
Proper child restraints are therefore much more than an inconvenience for families navigating the city. They are an important safety tool.
Choosing the Correct Car Seat for Your Child
Children should move through different restraint stages as they grow, but parents should resist the temptation to make those transitions too quickly.
The CDC recommends keeping a child in a rear facing seat with a harness until the child reaches the maximum weight or height allowed by that particular car seat. Once the rear facing seat is outgrown, the child should transition to a forward facing seat with a harness and top tether in the back seat.
After that seat is outgrown, children should use a booster seat until the vehicle’s seat belt fits correctly on its own. Proper seat belt fit generally occurs when children are between 9 and 12 years old, according to the CDC.
NHTSA also recommends keeping children in their current car seat or booster until they outgrow it.
What About Taxis and Rideshare Vehicles?
Travel in New York City often looks different from travel elsewhere in the state. Families may regularly move between private cars, taxis, and rideshare vehicles rather than using the same family vehicle every day.
NHTSA specifically reminds caregivers to make sure children use the appropriate seat when traveling in taxis or rideshares.
For NYC parents, that means child passenger safety should remain a consideration even when you are not the one driving.
Is Your Car Seat Installed Correctly?
One of the most striking findings highlighted during Child Passenger Safety Week is the prevalence of incorrect installation.
NHTSA reports that about half of all car seats are incorrectly installed, even though many caregivers believe they have installed them properly.
Before installing a seat, NHTSA recommends reviewing both the instructions accompanying the car seat and the vehicle owner’s guide. Families can also visit inspection stations where trained child passenger safety technicians can check the installation.
National Seat Check Saturday is September 26, 2026, and participating communities across the country will offer assistance from certified child passenger safety technicians.
Booster Seats Matter for Older Children Too
Child passenger safety does not stop when a child becomes too large for a traditional car seat.
The CDC reports that booster seat use reduces the risk of serious injury by 45 percent among children ages 4 through 8 compared with seat belt use alone.
Before transitioning out of a booster, parents should check the fit of the vehicle’s seat belt. The lap portion should sit across the upper thighs rather than the stomach, while the shoulder belt should cross the center of the child’s shoulder and chest.
NHTSA notes that many children ages 8 through 12 still need a booster seat and recommends the back seat for children under 13.
Make Child Passenger Safety Part of Every NYC Trip
For New York City families, travel can involve everything from a short trip across the neighborhood to a ride through congested city streets or a longer journey outside the five boroughs.
Regardless of the distance, properly restraining children matters on every trip.
Child Passenger Safety Week is a valuable reminder for parents, grandparents, caregivers, and anyone who transports children to check car seat installation, review manufacturer instructions, evaluate whether a child has outgrown their current restraint, and make sure older children have a properly fitting seat belt.
When a child suffers serious injuries because of another person’s negligence, families may have legal options. Speaking with an experienced New York City personal injury attorney can help parents understand their rights, identify potentially responsible parties, and determine the appropriate next steps.