Hyundai Motor America has partnered with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) to provide free car seat inspections, along with interactive pedestrian safety activities with LA Street Smarts to teach elementary school-aged children how to navigate streets.
Hands‑On Events Deliver Real‑World Impact
As part of this ongoing collaboration, Hyundai and CHLA recently hosted a car seat and pedestrian safety event at Hyundai Motor America’s headquarters in Fountain Valley, California, and at Downey Hyundai in Downey, California.
Families received expert, hands‑on guidance on proper car seat installation, pedestrian safety best practices, and injury prevention resources. Certified child passenger safety technicians conducted inspections, checked for manufacturer recalls and expiration dates, and ensured the proper fit of the seats for children. If necessary, replacement seats were provided at no cost for families.
“Safety isn’t just about technology. It’s about education, access, and meeting families where they are,” said Cole Stutz, chief safety officer, Hyundai Motor North America. “Our longstanding partnership with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles reflects Hyundai’s commitment to prevention by helping equip caregivers with practical, life‑saving knowledge that protects children both in vehicles and as pedestrians.”
Why Child Passenger Safety Education Matters
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly half of car seats and booster seats are installed incorrectly or used improperly. NHTSA also estimates that safety seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and by 54 percent for toddlers when used correctly.
An active study from CHLA examining the long‑term impact of these interventions found that caregivers who previously attended safety events or training sessions were significantly more likely to use car seats correctly than first‑time participants. The findings underscore the value of ongoing education and highlight the importance of this collaboration in improving child passenger safety.
Longstanding Partnership Focuses on Prevention
Since the partnership began in 2021, Hyundai and CHLA have reached more than 1,000 students and families through child passenger safety inspections and pedestrian safety education programs, providing caregivers with practical, life‑saving information designed to improve safety outcomes.
Car Seat Safety Event
“Hyundai’s steadfast partnership extends the reach of our child safety and injury prevention programs to communities most compromised and in need of resources,” said Helen Arbogast, manager, Injury Prevention Program, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. “Pedestrian injuries and car crashes remain a leading mechanism of injury to children in our state and nationwide. It is even more critical that we reach families with education and safety practices to help keep children safe. Our collaborative efforts with Hyundai are improving access to information and resources, one community at a time.”
During an assembled media Q&A opportunity at the event, I asked Helen Arbogast (HA) about issues and the significance of the safety program:
Brian Armstead (BA): What we’re seeing here today—can you walk us through what families are doing and what the biggest issues are?
HA: At Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, a large portion of the injuries we see are related to child passengers. Many times, children are not in car seats at all, or if they are, they’re not in the correct seat, or the seat is not installed properly.
Another major issue is children coming out of car seats too early. California law says that at age eight or 4 feet 9 inches tall, a child no longer has to be in a car seat. However, best practice is to keep children in a five-point harness as long as possible.
About 75% of car seats are installed incorrectly. One common mistake is not locking the seatbelt retractor, which can allow dangerous movement during a crash.
BA: Do car seats last forever, and do car seats get recalled?
HA: No. Car seats typically expire after six years and should be replaced after a serious crash; and yes, parents should register their seats to receive recall notices.
BA: How do parents know if a car seat is compatible with their vehicle?
HA: Some retailers offer test fitting, and parents can also check the manufacturer’s measurements.
BA: Concerning pedestrian safety, please tell us about the Street Smarts/Pedestrian Safety program.
HA: The Street Smarts program focuses on pedestrian safety, one of the leading causes of injury for children. Children are often too small to be seen by drivers, and both drivers and kids can be distracted. We teach children how to safely cross streets, avoid dart-outs, and understand traffic patterns. We also focus on back over prevention in neighborhoods.
BA: Many families rely on social media for information. What role does social media play in educating about safety?
HA: Social media is important, but misinformation is a concern. Families should rely on trusted sources like SafeKids.org.
Pedestrian Safety Education Reaches Local Schools
The Hyundai/CHLA partnership has also extended into the community through CHLA’s LA Street Smarts pedestrian safety program, which included a dedicated event at Taft Elementary School in Santa Ana and a media demonstration at the headquarters safety seat event. Using a mock-up of streets, the interactive program teaches students age-appropriate strategies for safely navigating streets, understanding traffic signals, and making smart pedestrian decisions. Helen Arborgast’s young daughter and kids, whose parents were participating in getting their car safety seats checked for proper installation, were involved in the demo. Not only were these kids smart and aware of many of the right things to do and not to do as pedestrians, they were also confident in their ability to share safety tips with their young friends. Watching these kids was fun and inspiring!
Continuing Philanthropy
On April 22, 2026, Hyundai Motor America and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles announced the continuation of their child passenger and pedestrian safety partnership, including a $100,000 donation supporting CHLA’s Injury Prevention and Child Passenger Safety Program and community education events across Southern California.
Built on a shared commitment to protecting children and families, the collaboration delivers hands‑on safety education, resources, and expert support designed to reduce preventable injuries and promote safer behaviors in communities where families live, learn, and travel.
Well done, Hyundai Motor America and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles!
