SANTA FE — Parents and caregivers across New Mexico can have their child's car seat inspected for free by a nationally certified technician on Saturday, Sept. 26, as the New Mexico Department of Transportation joins National Seat Check Saturday with events statewide.
The events are part of National Child Passenger Safety Week, observed Sept. 20-26, an annual campaign led by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to educate parents and caregivers about properly securing children in vehicles.
The need for proper seat installation in New Mexico is significant. In 2024, 73% of child safety seats inspected at New Mexico car seat clinics were found to be misused, according to the NHTSA New Mexico Traffic Safety Division Annual Report.
During the Sept. 26 events, nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will work one-on-one with parents and caregivers to help ensure children are riding in the appropriate car seat or booster seat and that the seat is properly installed and used. Technicians also can identify common installation errors and determine whether a seat is expired, recalled or otherwise unsafe.
"Child passenger safety starts with making sure every child is in the right seat and that seat is installed and used correctly," said NMDOT Cabinet Secretary, David D. Quintana. "These clinics offer free inspection to give parents and caregivers an opportunity to work one-on-one with a certified technician, ask questions and leave knowing their child is riding as safely as possible."
According to NHTSA, correctly used car seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers in passenger cars. Booster seats also reduce the risk of serious injury for children ages 4 to 8 compared with seat belt use alone.
New Mexico law requires children younger than 7 or children who weigh less than 60 pounds to ride in a child safety seat. Children ages 7 through 12 must ride in a booster seat until an adult seat belt fits them properly.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to bring their child, car seat, and vehicle to a clinic whenever possible. Bringing the car seat manual and vehicle owner's manual also can help technicians provide more specific guidance.
During the clinics, nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will spend approximately 30 minutes per seat working with parents and caregivers on the proper selection, installation and use of car seats and booster seats. Technicians will also identify common car seat safety errors and answer questions.
If a technician determines that a car seat is recalled, expired or otherwise unsafe, replacement seats will be available. A $35 replacement fee may apply.
Inspections are available on a first-come, first-served basis. No appointments are necessary.
Statewide car seat inspection clinics will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at the following locations:
Albuquerque — Northeast
Kohl's parking lot
6800 Holly Ave. NE
Albuquerque — Southeast
Bernalillo County Fire Rescue Station 38
3610 Prince St. SE
Clovis
The Java Loft
810 E. 21st St.
Farmington
Animas Valley Mall
4601 E. Main St.
Between Hobby Lobby and Wells Fargo
Las Cruces
Elks Lodge No. 1119
3000 Elks Drive
Las Vegas
First Baptist Church of Las Vegas
201 Mountain View Drive
Rio Rancho
Target parking lot
4225 Crestview Drive SE
Roswell
Casa Kids — First United Methodist
200 N. Pennsylvania Ave.
Santa Fe
James Armijo State Farm
901 Alameda St.
The clinics are a public service provided by the NMDOT Traffic Safety Division and Safer New Mexico Now. There is no charge for car seat inspections; however, a $35 fee may apply if a replacement seat is needed.
NMDOT encourages every driver and passenger to make buckling up an automatic part of every trip, every person, every seat, every time.
