 Facts
About Children and Youth
Children and youth from birth to age 14 represented 21 percent
of the U.S. population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s
2002 American Community Survey. Motor vehicle crashes are
the leading cause of death for children 2 years of age, and for
people of every age from 4 to 34 years old. Although the fatality
rate has decreased, the total number of child occupant deaths is
still high. This is due to population increases and a near doubling,
over the past 20 years, of the number of miles Americans travel
on our Nation’s highways.
Facts About Restraint Use
-
In 2002, the use of child restraints saved an estimated 376
lives.
-
Of the 459 occupant fatalities among children from birth through
age 4 in 2002, nearly 40 percent were completely unrestrained.
-
During 2002, a total of 1,785 children from birth through age
15 were killed in passenger vehicle crashes. Approximately 54
percent of passenger vehicle occupants in this age group were
unrestrained. The breakdown by age group was as follows:
-
40.4 percent of children from birth through age 4 were
unrestrained.
-
48.6 percent of children ages 5 through 9 were unrestrained.
-
62.3 percent of children ages 10 through 15 were unrestrained.
If 100 percent of motor vehicle occupants younger than age 5 had
been protected by child safety seats, an estimated 485 lives (an
additional 109 lives) could have been saved in 2002. From 1975 through 2002, an estimated 6,567 lives were saved
by the use of child restraints (child safety seats or adult
belts).
Chart 6 provides data on the use and
nonuse of occupant restraints among occupants killed in passenger
vehicle crashes in 2002. In most age groups (except the youngest
and the oldest) a greater percentage of occupants who were killed,
were not restrained. Unfortunately, being properly restrained cannot
prevent all passengers from being fatally injured, especially in
certain high impact crashes. However, a certain percentage of occupants
in all age groups would not have been killed had they been properly
restrained.
Chart 6 Occupant
Fatalities in 2002
By Age and Restraint Use, In Passenger Vehicles
| 274 |
59.6% |
185 |
40.4% |
459 |
100% |
| 205 |
51.4% |
195 |
48.6% |
400 |
100% |
| 350 |
37.7% |
576 |
62.3% |
926 |
100% |
| 1,999 |
35.5% |
3,626 |
64.5% |
5,625 |
100% |
| 1,199 |
32.6% |
2,477 |
67.4% |
3,676 |
100% |
| 3,232 |
32.7% |
6,656 |
67.3% |
9,888 |
100% |
| 2,947 |
46.8% |
3,353 |
53.2% |
6,300 |
100% |
| 1,253 |
58.5% |
887 |
41.5% |
2,140 |
100% |
| 1,983 |
63.9% |
1,122 |
36.1% |
3,105 |
100% |
| 13,448 |
41.4% |
19,071 |
58.6% |
32,519 |
100% |
There is a significant decrease in restraint use among the 5-9,
10-15, and 16-20 age groups (when compared to the 0-4 age group).
This decrease in restraint use illustrates the critical need for
public information and education about the importance of restraint
use, along with the need for ongoing enforcement of existing laws.
When viewing the chart, keep in mind that even with the use of
occupant restraints:
Some crashes are so severe that occupants do not survive
even when properly protected by a child safety seat, booster seat,
or safety belt. There are instances in which the effectiveness of a child
restraint or safety belt is compromised by incorrect use, e.g.,
improper installation or use of a child safety seat, placing a child
in an adult belt. Occupants in the youngest age group, 0-4 and oldest age
groups, 65-74 and 75+, are more fragile. Therefore, they are more
vulnerable to death or a serious injury when in a crash. In many States, there is no law requiring the use of an
appropriate occupant restraint (booster seat) for children who have
outgrown their child safety seat. As a result, many young children
are inappropriately placed in adult belts.
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Facts About Motor-Vehicle-Related Deaths and
Injuries
Based on the 10-year period between 1993 and 2002, an average of
1,998 children from birth to 15 years of age died and 299,195 were
injured in passenger vehicle crashes each year.
In 2002, an average of 5 children from birth through age
15 were killed and 693 were injured every day in motor vehicle crashes. In 2002, a total of 1,785 children ages 15 and younger were
killed and 253,000 were injured in passenger vehicle crashes. Eleven
percent of the injured occupants had incapacitating injuries. In 2002, there were 459 passenger vehicle occupant fatalities
and 59,000 occupants injured among children ages 4 and younger. In 2002, there were 1,326 passenger vehicle occupant fatalities
and 195,000 occupants injured among children ages 5 through 15.
Chart 7 highlights facts about injury
severity. In 2002, more than 80,000 children, youth, and young adults
from birth to age 20 suffered incapacitating injuries in passenger
vehicle crashes.
Chart 7 Occupants
Killed or Injured In 2002
By Injury Severity, In Passenger Vehicles
| |
Injury Severity |
| 459 |
6,588 |
15,552 |
35,602 |
783 |
58,525 |
58,984 |
| 400 |
7,038 |
21,087 |
42,822 |
758 |
71,705 |
72,105 |
| 926 |
12,569 |
34,745 |
74,536 |
1,062 |
122,912 |
123,838 |
| 5,625 |
56,053 |
149,645 |
266,200 |
4,167 |
476,065 |
481,690 |
| 3,676 |
35,973 |
89,255 |
166,995 |
3,302 |
295,525 |
299,201 |
| 9,888 |
99,504 |
227,077 |
595,110 |
7,912 |
929,603 |
939,491 |
| 6,300 |
57,286 |
118,747 |
343,343 |
3,711 |
523,087 |
529,387 |
| 2,140 |
13,343 |
32,042 |
65,376 |
391 |
111,152 |
113,292 |
| 3,105 |
14,604 |
28,096 |
49,983 |
422 |
93,105 |
96,210 |
| 32,519 |
302,957 |
716,246 |
1,639,968 |
22,507 |
2,681,678 |
2,714,197 |
*An incapacitating injury is any injury, other
than a fatal injury, that prevents the injured person from walking,
driving, or normally continuing the activities the person was capable
of performing before the injury occurred.
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