New York State Sen. Monica R. Martinez hosted a Car Seat Safety Inspection, Operation Safe Child and Shed the Meds event on Saturday, July 26, 2025, in partnership with the New York State Police, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office and the Deer Park Fire Department.
According to AAA, an analysis of the National Digital Car Seat Check Form database found that 74 percent of car seats inspected in 2023 were improperly installed or used. This stands in sharp contrast to the nearly 90 percent of parents who believe they’ve installed their car seat correctly.
“Every parent’s wish is for their child to be safe, especially in the event of a traffic accident,” said Sen. Martinez. “However, even small installation or usage mistakes with car and booster seats can have devastating consequences. This event helped reassure families across our community that their children are protected to the greatest extent possible while on the road.”
A sign outside the Deer Park Fire House on Lake Avenue announces a free car seat inspection event hosted by Sen. Monica R. Martinez on July 26, 2025.
Cars line up for a safety seat inspection during an event hosted by state Sen. Martinez on July 26, 2025 in Deer Park.
A New York State Trooper inspects a car to ensure its child safety seat is installed correctly during an event hosted by state Sen. Martinez on July 26, 2025.
A New York State Trooper inspects a car to ensure its child safety seat is installed correctly during an event hosted by state Sen. Martinez on July 26, 2025.
In the United States, car crashes remain a leading cause of death for children. On average, two children under 14 were killed and 345 were injured in traffic crashes while riding in passenger vehicles each day in 2023, the most recent year for which data is available.
For more information about child safety seats, including selection and installation, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/car-seats-and-booster-seats.
A New York State Trooper inspects a car to ensure its child safety seat is installed correctly during an event hosted by state Sen. Martinez on July 26, 2025.
New York State Sen. Monica R. Martinez tries out a seat-belt safety demonstration machine during an event held on July 26, 2025 in Deer Park.
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