Child Passenger Safety

Magnitude of the Problem

• Motor vehicles crashes are the leading cause of injury death among children ages 14 years and under, according to the 2020 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s WISQARS data.
• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NTHSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System data from 2020:
  • An average of 3 children aged 14 and under were killed, and 380 were injured every day in traffic crashes.
  • 42% of the child passengers who died in a crash, for whom restraint use was known, were not restrained or buckled up.
• Child safety seats and belts can reduce severe and fatal injuries (CDC Child Passenger Safety Facts)
  • Child safety seat use reduces the risk of injury for infants and toddlers by 71-82% when compared with seat belt use alone
  • Booster seat use reduces the risk for serious injury by 45% for children ages 4-8 when compared with seat belt use alone
  • Seat belt use reduces the risk for death and serious injury by about half for car passengers ages 5 and older

Prevention

Strategies to improve child passenger safety include:

• Child safety seat and booster seat distribution and education
• Proper installation and use of child safety seat, booster seat, or a seat belt
• Spread and use of certified child passenger safety technicians
• Community-wide information and enhanced enforcement campaigns
• Incentive and education programs that provide rewards to parents or children for the purchase and proper use of child safety seats