Tennessee program offers free help with child car seat safety

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Keeping your child safe on the road is a top priority—and now it’s easier than ever.

The Safe Journey Child Passenger Safety Program, administered by the Tennessee Highway Safety Office alongside the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, supports families across Tennessee Technicians partner with schools, daycares, emergency services, law enforcement, and businesses to teach caregivers how to select and properly install the safest child car seats—offering free hands-on evaluations and even providing a free car seat in some cases.

Statistics reveal that up to 80% of car seats are used incorrectly, leading to preventable risk—so far this year, Safe Journey has hosted free seat-check events, including monthly fitting stations in Chattanooga.

Robin Williams of the Safe Journey program shared: “I would encourage any parent, because at each stage with parenthood, with different children, you run into, and face different issues. One child might have a different set of issues than one or two children, especially with placing the children in the correct vehicle seating position.”

Beyond seat checks, the program educates caregivers on Tennessee’s child-restraint laws, which require rear-facing seats until at least age 1 and 20 lb, forward-facing harnesses through age 3, and booster seats until around age 8 or until a child can pass the 5‑step test.

If you’re unsure about your child’s seat, you can schedule a free appointment or attend one of the upcoming car-seat events—several fitting stations are held across the Chattanooga area monthly.

Click here for more information.