Program goal
The Safe Riders program distributes and educates on proper child safety seat use. Safe Riders wants to reduce the number of motor vehicle crash (MVC) injuries and fatalities to unrestrained children in Texas. The program is available to eligible recipients and is available in most, but not all areas of
Texas. Program objectives are to:
- Coordinate a statewide child safety seat distribution and education program (authorized by Texas law, 1993);
- Provide child passenger safety (CPS) educational classes that are open to the public. It should be consistent and identifiable in the community;
- Partner with local CPS advocates. We distribute child safety seats to eligible families following the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) guidelines; and
- Provide free child safety seats to Texas families who are experiencing financial hardship.
Eligibility requirements for receiving a seat
- Family must be low-income or must be experiencing financial hardship.
- Primary caregivers must attend a one-hour child passenger safety class.
- Pregnant women must be in their third trimester.
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Someone in the household must have a vehicle.
More than one seat per child is not allowed (i.e. for additional vehicles or caregivers).
Each child in the household that needs a care seat should have a separate appointment.
For more information, call Safe Riders at 800-252-8255 or email saferiders@dshs.texas.gov for more information or to find a distribution program partner near you.