RAA, AAA, DRIVE SMART, Holding Thanksgiving Safety Fair Featuring Child Safety Seat Inspections Ahead of Thanksgiving Travel

The Richmond Ambulance Authority, AAA Mid-Atlantic, DRIVE SMART Virginia and regional partners will be holding a Thanksgiving Safety Fair featuring fun activities, safety information and most importantly, Child Safety Seat Inspections ahead of Thanksgiving. AAA predicts holiday travel will be higher than last year, with more than 80 million people expected to travel for Thanksgiving this year, including nearly 1.9 million travelers hitting the road here in Virginia alone. This means it’s especially important for families traveling out of town for the holiday, or just running last-minute errands, to make sure they have secured their most precious cargo before they drive – their children. This year, the goal is to inspect at least 50 car seats in total following the two-day event.

According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) 182 children injured in car crashes in Virginia in 2023 were unrestrained and 7 were killed. The latest research from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows 39% of children killed in car crashes in 2022 were unrestrained. Using age- and size-appropriate car seats and installing them correctly are the best ways to reduce serious injury and death.

Captain Veronica Ruffin, an RAA Child Passenger Safety Seat Technician says “It is critically important to have your child’s car safety seat installed correctly. An incorrectly installed seat can lead to serious injuries or even death if you are involved in a crash. A technician can ensure your seat has been installed correctly and that you are protecting your child ahead of Thanksgiving travel.”

“No one wants to install a child safety seat incorrectly. Common mistakes people make are installing them too loosely and incorrectly adjusting the harnesses. At this event, trained experts will be able to assist caregivers in correcting these and other issues, ensuring that children are as safe as possible,” said AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesperson Morgan Dean.

To help travelers or anyone who desires to have their seats checked, RAA, AAA Mid-Atlantic, and Drive Smart Virginia will be holding Car Seat Safety Check stations on the following dates and locations:

Authorized Child Passenger Seat Safety Technicians will be available to check seats or boosters for those who attend.