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Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 5 - 18 and the second leading cause of death for children ages 1 - 4 (Source: NC Division of Public Health).

Keep your kids safe by ensuring that everyone is buckled up in the right car seat, booster seat, or seat belt.

Car Seats and Booster Seats

More than half of the children (ages 8 – 14) killed in traffic crashes on North Carolina roads in 2023 were not properly restrained in a car seat or seat belt (NCDOT Crash Facts).

 

Right Car Seat Icon

Is your child in the right seat?

The best way to ensure that your have correctly installed the right seat for your child is to stop by a free Car Seat Checking Station and have a certified Car Seat Technician help you.

Find a permanent Car Seat Checking Station through Buckle Up NC at the link below.

Car Seat Transition Icon

When should my child transition to a new car seat?

Is it time to switch your child to a forward-facing car seat?

Forward-Facing Guide

Is your child big enough and mature enough to use a booster seat?

Car Seat to Booster Guide

Is your child tall enough to use a seat belt?

Booster to Belt Guide

Raising Traffic-Safe Kids

 

Children Follow Our Example, Not Our Advice

Our kids start learning how to act on the road from observing us. Teach your children how to be safe by following these 4 simple tips.

Family Traffic Safety Contract

Family conversations about safety empower children with essential knowledge and skills that can save lives. These discussions build a foundation for making safe decisions independently as they grow older. Set clear expectations and start an open dialogue with your family using this Traffic Safety Contract.

Play Games to Help Children Learn Safety

Ask your child to make a funny sound anytime they see people walking, riding a bicycle, or riding a motorcycle on the road. This teaches them to look for people, which will make them a safer driver later in life.

 

Play the “Quick Click” game by racing to see who can buckle up the fastest after getting into the car.

Social Media Images

Show your support for safe streets by sharing these images online.

Use #NCVisionZero and tag our pages on:

Data & Analytics

Child Passenger Safety Dashboard

Interactive map of statewide and county-level Child Passenger Safety Technician and Car Seat Checking Station data.

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Resources

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Outreach & Educational Materials

Family Traffic Safety Contract

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Maps & Data, Outreach & Educational Materials

School Bus Safety Page

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Maps & Data, Outreach & Educational Materials

Children’s Safety Page

Resource

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Outreach & Educational Materials, Featured

4 Things You Can Do to Raise Traffic-Safe Kids

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Graphics, Outreach & Educational Materials

Safe Routes to School Social Media Graphics

Images

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Outreach & Educational Materials, Articles

How to Teach Kids to be Safe on the Road

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Outreach & Educational Materials, Articles

Kids Learn How to Act on the Road by Watching You

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Articles

Walking, Biking to School Keeps Kids Happy, Healthy, and Focused

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Outreach & Educational Materials, School Activities

Ticket Your Family – School Activity

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Graphics, Outreach & Educational Materials

School Bus Safety Social Media Graphics

Images

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Graphics, Outreach & Educational Materials, Toolkit

Spanish Version: Safe Routes to School Social Media Toolkit

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Graphics, Outreach & Educational Materials, Toolkit

Safe Routes to School Social Media Toolkit

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Guide, Outreach & Educational Materials

How to Talk to Your Kids About Traffic

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Graphics, Outreach & Educational Materials

Children’s Traffic Safety Social Media Images

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Maps & Data

Child Passenger Safety Dashboard

Resource

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Outreach & Educational Materials

Show, Explain, Practice Traffic Safety: Brochure for Parents & Caregivers

Brochure

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Outreach & Educational Materials, Posters

Kids are Copy Cats Poster

Poster

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External Partners & Experts

Buckle Up NC

Website

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Guide, Outreach & Educational Materials, Toolkit

Let’s Go NC: Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Skills Program for Healthy, Active Children

Resource

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Outreach & Educational Materials, Videos

Children’s Traffic Safety Videos (YouTube playlist)

Youtube

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External Partners & Experts, Outreach & Educational Materials

National Child Passenger Safety Board

Website

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External Partners & Experts

Safe Kids

Website

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External Partners & Experts

North Carolina School Bus Safety

Website

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my child is in the right car seat?

Buckle Up NC provides free car seat information for parents and caregivers. For information on choosing the right car seat, click here.

When should my child transition to a new car seat?

Buckle Up NC provides free guides to help you determine when your child is ready to switch to a different car seat.
Free guides: https://www.buckleupnc.org/resources-downloads/

For other FAQ about the North Carolina Child Passenger Safety Law, visit BuckleUpNC.

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Vision Zero Initiative