LAPD Offers Free Car Seat Instruction at Traffic Divisions
A study links improper child restraint use to more severe injuries, prompting a reminder about free instruction across Los Angeles.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Children’s Health
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The Los Angeles Police Department reminded residents that it offers free child car seat instruction at its four traffic divisions. The reminder follows an Ohio University School of Medicine study finding that more than half of injured children were improperly restrained or unrestrained.
Why it matters
The study links car seat and seat belt misuse to more severe injuries and deaths among children ages 1 to 13. Properly used car seats can prevent injuries in crashes, making local access to instruction a practical safety resource for Los Angeles families.
In a study of 39,993 injuries, 39% of injured children were completely unrestrained and 19% used a restraint mismatched to their age, height, or weight. Inappropriate restraint use rose from 6% at age 1 to 39% at age 7, while the study does not address how many local children are affected.
The players
Los Angeles Police Department
The Los Angeles Police Department is the municipal police agency serving the city of Los Angeles, operating traffic divisions that offer child car seat inspections and instruction.
Ohio University School of Medicine
The Ohio University School of Medicine is the medical school of Ohio University, whose researchers conducted the study on child restraint misuse in car crashes.
The details
Caregivers can contact an LAPD traffic division to learn best practices and have seats checked for recalls or expiration. The instruction is offered free, with previous arrangements, at the department's four traffic divisions, including Valley Traffic Division in Panorama City.
Timeline
Tuesday, November 10, 2026: LAPD issues its reminder about free child car seat instruction.
Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.: South Traffic Division holds inspections by appointment.
Wednesdays, 8:00 a.m. to noon: West Traffic Division holds inspections, with appointments recommended.
Thursdays: Valley Traffic Division holds inspections by appointment only.
Health Landscape
The Ohio University School of Medicine study of 39,993 child injuries provides the evidence base for the LAPD's reminder, extending the research into a local prevention step. It shows how restraint misuse varies by age, with the share of inappropriate use peaking at age 7 before declining by age 13.
Caregivers can have a child's car seat checked for recalls and expiration at no cost by scheduling an appointment at an LAPD traffic division. Children under two must ride rear-facing, and those 40 pounds or heavier, or 40 inches or taller, must be secured in a car or booster seat in the back seat.
The takeaway
Checking a child's car seat fit and installation against their current weight and height is a simple step caregivers can take now. Scheduling a free inspection at an LAPD traffic division can confirm the seat is right for the child.
Further reading
For more on child health and safety, explore our Children's Health coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by My News LA.
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