Parents Who Lost Their 3-Year-Old Son In A Car Crash Tell What They Would Have Done Differently To Save His Life

September 20, 2018

Car crash is among the leading causes of death for children aged 1 to 13. And, according to one recent study, 43% of children who died in car accidents between 2010 and 2014 weren’t properly restrained.

What does it mean? It means age-appropriate car seats and being harnessed correctly could have saved at least some of them. One family who lost their 3-year-old in a car crash 13 years ago have been trying to get this message across to as many parents as possible.

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Parents who lost their 3-year-old in a car crash are trying to prevent further tragedies

Three-year-old Kyle David Miller was riding in his family’s minivan when an irresponsible driver ran a red light and crashed into the vehicle.

The boy was in a booster seat, buckled in with a seat belt. He was ejected from the minivan and died.

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Kyle’s family were overcome with grief when he died. What hit them even harder was the fact that a 5-point-harness rear-facing seat could have saved him.

The Millers hope other parents can learn from their tragedy. They have been working to spread awareness about child passenger safety ever since their precious son died, and it looks like their efforts really make a difference. Here are some of many grateful comments:

How to choose the right car seat for your child

It’s easy for parents to assume that their children are safe in the car with them because they are good, responsible drivers. But being a good driver doesn’t guarantee safety on the road, so it’s important to make your vehicle as safe as possible for your child.

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It’s common knowledge that babies should ride in rear-facing car seats. Actually, toddlers are also safer in rear-facing seats, so use this kind of seat until your child outgrows it.

When using a rear-facing seat, the following tips can help:

Read the manufacturer’s instructions that come with the seat before using it. Install the seat strictly following the instructions; to keep your child safe, the seat should be secured correctly.
Make sure the seat is positioned at the correct angle.
Rear-facing child car seats should never be placed in the front seat of a vehicle that has an active front passenger airbag.
The harness should fit tightly and both chest and crotch buckles should be fastened.
If you have any questions regarding the use of a child car seat, consult a certified child passenger safety technician.

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To learn more about child car seats, go to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s official website. Learning about child passenger safety is worthwhile, regardless of your child’s age!