CDOT and Colorado State Patrol partner with local Spanish-language station Entravision to deliver buckle up messages for parents and caregivers
Shift into Safe News
Motor vehicle crash injuries are currently the leading cause of death for Latino children in the United States, and studies have shown that they are less likely to be properly restrained in car seats or booster seats compared to non-Latino children.
This disparity in safety seat use may be linked to several factors such as:
- Lack of knowledge about proper installation and use.
- Socioeconomic status.
- Perceived resistance from children or other family members.
- Language barriers.
- Fear of legal repercussions or interactions with law enforcement.
Although Latino families have demonstrated lower rates of child passenger safety seat use compared to other populations, targeted interventions — like tailored messaging and utilizing trusted messengers — can significantly improve these rates. Likewise, legislation and enforcement have partially improved seat belt and child safety seat usage in Colorado. However, incorrect usage of child safety seats within all communities continues to be a challenge. Last year in Colorado, 78% of car seats inspected by child passenger safety technicians were not being used correctly or were not installed properly, according to the Child Passenger Safety Board’s National Digital Car Seat Check Form (NDCF) database.
CDOT and the Colorado State Patrol recently partnered with Entravision Colorado in an effort to increase awareness of proper usage of child safety seats among parents and caregivers within their viewing audience. Entravision’s Community Engagement Specialist Deicy Quiñones and CSP Sgt. Iván Alvarado worked together to demonstrate tips for correctly using a forward-facing car seat.
Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website to schedule a free car seat check.
For more information about child passenger safety in Colorado, visit www.CarSeatsColorado.com.
