Car Ride Safety Tips for Children with Autism: Advice from BCBAs

Each September, National Child Passenger Safety Week reminds families about the importance of keeping their children safe on the road. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 700 children under the age of 14 were killed while riding in passenger vehicles, and more than 125,000 were injured in 2023. Every day that year, an average of two children were killed and 345 were injured in car crashes. Nearly half (43%) of those who died were unrestrained at the time of the crash.¹

For families of children with autism, though, car rides can present unique challenges. Resistance to seatbelts, sensory overload, or difficulty tolerating transitions can make it harder to ensure that a child remains properly restrained. That’s where the guidance of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) can help.

At Action Behavior Centers (ABC), our BCBAs partner with families to make everyday routines safer and more manageable, including car rides. In this blog, we’ll explore why car rides can be especially difficult for children with autism, provide data on passenger safety, and share actionable strategies from our BCBAs to help keep your child safe on the road.

Why car rides can be challenging for children with autism

For many families, car rides are simply part of daily life, whether it’s driving to school, therapy, or the grocery store. But for children with autism, these rides can feel unpredictable and overwhelming.

Common challenges include:

• Transitions: Moving from one activity to another (such as leaving the house)
• Sensory overload: Bright sunlight, loud radios, traffic noises, or the feeling of a seatbelt
• Fear of the unknown: A change in routine, a new destination, or an unexpected detour
• Resistance to restraint: Some children may refuse to wear a seatbelt, unbuckle themselves, or struggle against car seats

To reframe how parents see these behaviors, a BCBA explains, “Some car behaviors, like resisting a seatbelt or unbuckling, are not about being ‘difficult.’ They often show sensory overload, anxiety, or trouble with regulation. BCBAs focus on the ‘why’ to create strategies that meet the child’s unique needs.”

Understanding these behaviors as communication, rather than misbehavior, helps parents and caregivers respond with empathy and safety in mind.

How to prepare your child with autism for a safe, successful  car ride

Preparation is one of the most effective ways to reduce stress before even getting in the car. Some children with autism thrive on routine and predictability, so preparing for a trip ahead of time can help lower anxiety around transitions.

Tips for preparing for car rides:

• Create a consistent pre-car routine. For example: bathroom break, grab a comfort item, walk to the car, buckle up, and then drive.
• Use visual schedules. A simple picture chart can show the steps: house → car → seatbelt → ride → destination.
• Set expectations with simple language. Use short, clear phrases such as “We’re going to the store. It will take 10 minutes. Then we’ll come home.”
• Preview the ride. Show a picture of the destination before you leave.
• Offer comfort items. A favorite toy, blanket, or book can help a child feel secure.

On the importance of routines, a BCBA shares, “Preparation helps make car rides easier for children with autism. Consistent routines with visual supports give structure. Predictability lowers anxiety and helps children feel safe.” 

Creating a sensory-friendly car trip

Cars can be overwhelming environments, full of unpredictable sights, sounds, and sensations. Identifying sensory triggers ahead of time allows families to minimize discomfort and meltdowns.

Possible sensory triggers include:

• Loud music or traffic noise
• Flashing sunlight through windows
• Sudden movements, braking, or acceleration
• Uncomfortable temperatures
• Restrictive feeling of seatbelts or harnesses

Sensory-friendly supports may include:

• Noise-canceling headphones for loud environments
• Sunglasses or window shades to reduce glare
• Fidget toys or comfort items for calming
• Comfortable clothing that doesn’t irritate against the seatbelt

When it comes to sensory triggers, a BCBA points out, “The car can feel overwhelming. Bright lights, loud sounds, and sudden movement add stress. Headphones, sunglasses, or fidgets can lower sensory input and make the ride easier.”

How to address unsafe behaviors in the car

Using the proper restraint system is the most important step in protecting children from serious injury or death in a car crash. For families of children with autism, this can be especially challenging when unbuckling or meltdowns occur during a ride.

• Escaping the seatbelt or harness: Some children may unbuckle themselves mid-ride. The first step to addressing this is understanding why. Are they attempting to access something in the vehicle? If so, having a container of preferred items within reach can address this proactively.
  
  
• Meltdowns while driving: If a meltdown happens while the car is in motion, pull over to a safe location. Offer calming strategies such as deep breathing, a comfort item, or a short break before continuing the trip.
  
  
• Reinforcing safe riding: Praise and reward your child for staying buckled and calm. Consistent reinforcement helps build long-term safe habits.

One BCBA emphasizes, “Unbuckling or meltdowns in the car are stressful and unsafe. Parents can use proactive strategies and positive reinforcement to encourage safer behavior.”

Choosing the right car seat & booster seat

Choosing the right seat for your child’s age and size is essential. Key reminders from the NHTSA include:

• Rear-facing car seats: Keep children rear-facing until at least age 2, and longer if the seat allows.
• Forward-facing with harness: Once children outgrow rear-facing, transition to a forward-facing seat with a harness until reaching the seat’s height or weight limits.
• Booster seats: Use a booster seat until a seatbelt fits correctly, typically between ages 8–12.
• Proper seatbelt fit: A seatbelt fits when the lap belt lies snugly across the upper thighs (not the stomach) and the shoulder belt rests across the chest (not the neck).
• Children under 13: Always ride in the back seat.²

How to get your child’s car seat inspected

Even the best car seat won’t protect a child if it’s not installed properly. According to 2024 data from the National Digital Car Seat Check Form (NDCF), more than 70% of car seats are installed incorrectly.³

During Child Passenger Safety Week, families can take advantage of National Seat Check Saturday on September 27, 2025, to meet with certified technicians who provide hands-on instruction. You can also use the NHTSA Car Seat Inspection Locator year-round to find inspection events near you.

Car passenger safety skills & ABA therapy

Car rides don’t have to be a daily struggle! They can become something your child begins to tolerate, and even enjoy, with the right supports in place. The skills your child learns during applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy can transfer to real-life settings, including time spent in the car.

ABA strategies for car rides

• Positive reinforcement before, during, and after the ride. Use clear language such as “First ride, then playground.” Pairing the ride with a preferred activity or reward helps children build positive associations with being safely buckled.
• Gradual exposure. Begin with short, predictable rides and increase the length over time as your child builds comfort and confidence.
• Tolerance training. Start by practicing small steps, like sitting with the seatbelt buckled for just a few seconds, then slowly extend the duration as your child adjusts.
• Skill generalization. Safe riding skills practiced in therapy, such as staying seated, keeping the seatbelt buckled, or using coping tools like headphones, can be applied during real rides to school, therapy, or family outings.

To encourage parents, a BCBA shares, “The goal is to use therapy skills in daily life, including car rides. What begins as a stressful ride can turn into an opportunity for everyone in the family to grow and learn.”

Celebrate milestone moments on the road

Car rides combine transitions, sensory challenges, and safety risks, all in a confined space, which is why they can be one of the toughest daily routines for families of children with autism. Progress often happens slowly, but every step counts!

When it comes to progress, one BCBA reminds families, “Celebrate small wins. Staying buckled for a few minutes or riding calmly with headphones on is progress. Over time, these successes add up to safer, happier rides.”

At Action Behavior Centers, we work alongside families to support growth where it matters most. If you’d like to learn more about diagnostic support for autism, ABA therapy, or want to schedule a tour, contact us today to get started.

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