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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).

 

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.

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.

Openopen

Resources

Articles

A Family Promise: Preventing Distracted Driving Together

Resource

School Activities, Outreach & Educational Materials

Ticket Your Family: School Program

Resource

Outreach & Educational Materials

Family Traffic Safety Contract

Resource

Outreach & Educational Materials, Maps & Data

School Bus Safety Page

Resource

Facet Content Card Image

Outreach & Educational Materials, Maps & Data

Children’s Safety Page

Resource

Facet Content Card Image

Outreach & Educational Materials, Articles, Featured

4 Things You Can Do to Raise Traffic-Safe Kids

Resource

Facet Content Card Image

Outreach & Educational Materials, Graphics

Safe Routes to School Social Media Graphics

Images

Facet Content Card Image

Articles, Outreach & Educational Materials

Kids Learn How to Act on the Road by Watching You

Resource

Articles

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

Resource

School Activities, Outreach & Educational Materials

Ticket Your Family – School Activity

Resource

Facet Content Card Image

Outreach & Educational Materials, Graphics

School Bus Safety Social Media Graphics

Images

Facet Content Card Image

Outreach & Educational Materials, Toolkit, Graphics

Spanish Version: Safe Routes to School Social Media Toolkit

Resource

Facet Content Card Image

Outreach & Educational Materials, Toolkit, Graphics

Safe Routes to School Social Media Toolkit

Resource

Facet Content Card Image

Outreach & Educational Materials, Guide

How to Talk to Your Kids About Traffic

Resource

Outreach & Educational Materials, Graphics

Children’s Traffic Safety Social Media Images

Resource

Facet Content Card Image

Maps & Data

Child Passenger Safety Dashboard

Resource

Outreach & Educational Materials

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

Brochure

Outreach & Educational Materials, Posters

Kids are Copy Cats Poster

Poster

External Partners & Experts

Buckle Up NC

Website

Outreach & Educational Materials, Toolkit, Guide

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

Resource

Videos, Outreach & Educational Materials

Children’s Traffic Safety Videos (YouTube playlist)

Youtube

Outreach & Educational Materials, External Partners & Experts

National Child Passenger Safety Board

Website

External Partners & Experts

Safe Kids

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.

Learn more about the
Vision Zero Initiative