BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — One of the biggest risks for young children on the road isn’t speeding or distracted driving — it’s improper use of car seats. Safety experts say even well-meaning parents often install seats incorrectly, putting children in danger.
“Even parents who think that they have it right, a lot of times have it wrong,” said Bridget Gardner, program coordinator at University Medical Center New Orleans.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car seats have saved more than 1,100 children under the age of 5 since 1975. But improper use continues to be a problem.
Gardner, who works at Louisiana’s only Level One trauma center, said her role extends beyond emergency care. “With my position came the prevention of injuries — studying injurie