MN Toward Zero Deaths

09/25/2026

Have questions about your child’s car seat, booster seat, installation or seat belt fit?

Help is available!

Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) provide caregivers like you with hands-on demonstration and education to transport your child safely.

Get assistance through a local Car Seat & Booster Seat Checkup Event or a one-on-one appointment with a CPST.

Find a CPST or Car Seat & Booster Seat Checkup Event through Buckle Up MN.

09/24/2026

Thanks to all who helped put on yesterday's CarFit event at the Mounds View Community Center, including the Mn Emergency Nurses Association, AARP MN, and Dakota County TZD! CarFit helps older drivers be safer in their vehicles. Learn more at https://car-fit.org/.

09/24/2026

Details matter. Take a few minutes to check your child’s car seat installation and harness fit. Always follow the car seat manufacturer’s instructions and your vehicle owner’s manual for proper installation and use.

Check the installation: At the belt path, the car seat should move no more than 1 inch side-to-side or front-to-back.

Rear-facing: Harness straps should be at or below the child’s shoulders.

Forward-facing: Harness straps should be at or above the child’s shoulders.

Check the harness: The harness should be snug. You should not be able to pinch excess harness webbing at the child’s shoulder.

Check the chest clip: Position the chest clip at
armpit level.

Take five minutes today to check the details: from installation to harness fit.

09/23/2026

Booster seats help position the vehicle’s lap-and-shoulder belt properly on a child’s body. Use a booster seat until the vehicle seat belt fits correctly without one.

Take the 5-Step Seat Belt Fit Test. If you answer ‘no’ to any of these questions, keep using the booster!

1. Does the child sit all the way back against the vehicle seat?
2. Do their knees bend comfortably at the edge of the seat?
3. Does the lap belt sit low across the hips, touching the upper thighs?
4. Does the shoulder belt cross the center of the chest and shoulder?
5. Can the child stay in this position for the entire ride?

Take the 5-Step Test before saying goodbye to the booster.

09/22/2026

Child Passenger Safety Week is September 20–26! That makes this the perfect time for parents and caregivers to take a moment to ensure their child is in the right seat for their age and size, verify that it is installed properly and check that the harness or seat belt fits securely. As children grow, their safety needs change. Here is a quick breakdown of Minnesota law, essential safety reminders and local resources to keep your young passengers protected.

Minnesota Law Highlights
• Rear-facing: Children must ride rear-facing until they are at least 2 years old and have reached the weight or height limit specified by the car seat manufacturer.
• Forward-facing: Once they outgrow rear-facing, children must ride in a forward-facing seat with a harness until they are at least 4 years old and have reached the harness weight or height limit.
• Booster seat: After outgrowing the forward-facing harness, children must use a booster seat until they are at least 9 years old or have outgrown the booster seat and the vehicle seat belt fits correctly (use the 5-Step Test to verify).
• Back seat: Children under age 13 must ride in the back seat whenever possible.
• Under 18: All children and teens under 18 years old must be properly restrained in the appropriate car seat, booster seat, or seat belt.

Quick Safety Checklist
• Harness fit: Ensure the harness is snug (use the pinch test) and position the chest clip level with the armpits.
• Car seat Installation: Check for movement at the belt path. A properly installed seat should move less than one inch side-to-side or front-to-back.
• Top tether: Always connect and tighten the top tether when using a forward-facing seat. It limits forward head movement in a crash, protecting the child’s head and neck.
• Don't rush the next stage: Keep children in each stage for as long as possible until they hit the maximum height or weight limits set by the manufacturer.
• Register your seat: Register your car seat or booster with the manufacturer so you're notified immediately of any safety recalls. You can also use NHTSA's SaferCar App for updates.
• Avoid common errors: Small details make a big difference. Learn what to look for with BuckleUpMN’s Car Seat Mistakes Guide: https://buckleupmn.org/infants-children/car-seat-mistakes/

Resources and Free Inspections:
• Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) are available across Minnesota to assist parents and caregivers with hands-on help. Find a check-up event, get 1-on-1 assistance, and learn more about the CPS safety law at https://buckleupmn.org/

A few minutes today helps make sure your young passengers are safe on every trip. Please share these resources with your family, friends and community. Together, we can drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.

Discover essential safety tips and resources from the Minnesota Safety Council to help you drive safely and stay protected on the road.

09/21/2026

Message Monday!

Know your ABCs? Apply them behind the wheel: Always buckle your seat belt.

09/21/2026

Right seat. Right direction.

Keep your child in the appropriate rear-facing car seat or forward-facing car seat until they reach the height or weight limits allowed by the car seat manufacturer.

Then you can safely transition them to the next stage. Always follow the car seat manufacturer’s instructions
and the applicable Minnesota child passenger safety requirements.

Check your child’s car seat height and weight limits today.

09/18/2026

Come rain or shine, the lower St. Croix River Valley is expecting thousands of motorcyclists to participate in the Fall Flood Run this weekend.

Our Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center (MMSC) encourages riders and motorists to be extra observant on the roads between the east Twin Cities Metro Area and Winona.

Learn about MMSC, training opportunities and riding tips at: Motorcyclesafety.org

09/17/2026

Join us in November for the final TZD Hotdish of the year! This free webinar will highlight the benefits of prehospital blood, which has the potential to save lives when administered at the scene of a traffic crash.
Date: Thursday, Nov. 12
Time: 10-11:15 a.m. CT
Register: minnesotatzd.org/events/hotdish/2026/november

09/15/2026

The annual Fall Flood Run, which runs September 18–20, will bring thousands of motorcyclists to the scenic routes along the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers. With so many riders out enjoying the winding roads, staying sharp behind the wheel – and behind the handlebars – is crucial, and keeping our roads safe starts with mutual respect and attentive driving. Here are a few essential tips to ensure a safe weekend for everyone.

Motorists:
- Watch for motorcycles. Due to their smaller size, their speed and distance can be more difficult to judge.
- Always look twice before entering a roadway or changing lanes.
- Give riders room and check blind spots before changing lanes or making a turn.

Riders:
-Be prepared for inattentive drivers by staying focused on riding and keeping your speed in check.
- Lane splitting is never allowed at more than 25 mph, and no more than 15 mph over the speed of traffic. Lane filtering is not allowed more than 15 mph over the speed of traffic. Learn more.
- Wear the gear. Motorcyclists should wear a DOT-approved helmet and brightly colored protective gear for visibility and protection.
- Ride sober. One-third of all motorcycle fatalities involve impaired riders.

Let’s enjoy the fall weather, share the road and make sure everyone gets home safe! Together, we can drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.