Each year, approximately 110 passengers under the age of 11 are killed or severely injured in motor vehicle crashes in Minnesota. Over 1,800 passengers under the age of 11 receive minor to moderate injuries. Seventy percent of fatalities and severe injuries could be prevented with the proper use of a child restraint, and fifty percent could be prevented with proper safety belt use. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Child Passenger Safety Program is committed to educating the public about child passenger safety and the proper use of child restraints in order to decrease motor-vehicle related deaths and injuries suffered by Minnesota's children. The Program provides information and technical assistance to agencies, organizations and community groups on how to implement child passenger safety awareness programs, operate child safety seat distribution programs and conduct child passenger safety check-up clinics.
Technical assistance includes specialized child passenger safety training workshops.
The program also has a variety of print materials. The mission of the Office of Traffic Safety is to reduce the number and severity of traffic crashes in Minnesota.