Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13 in America. The Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) strives to reduce serious injuries and fatal crashes by educating parents, caregivers, and members of the community about the proper use of car seats, boosters, and seat belts. Find a Child Passenger Safety Fitting Station near you to meet with a trained CPS Technician for advice on using your child's car seat properly.
In 1977, Tennessee became the first state to pass a child restraint law. Dr. Robert Sanders, the Murfreesboro pediatrician known as “Dr. Seat Belt,” played an extraordinary role in the passage of Tennessee’s Child Passenger Protection Act. He and his wife, Pat, lobbied the Tennessee General Assembly for several years to pass this legislation. At the time, car seat use was less than 15 percent, and car crashes were the leading cause of death for young children.
The law went into effect in 1978, sparking legislative efforts in other states across the nation. Dr. Sanders became known as the pioneer of this groundbreaking movement. By 1985, all 50 states adopted a mandatory child restraint law.