[Press release] CDC study shows that child passenger deaths have decreased 43 percent from 2002 – 2011

From the 4 February 2014 CDC press release

Research has shown that using age- and size-appropriate child restraints (car seats, booster seats, and seat belts) is the best way to save lives and reduce injuries in a crash. Yet the report found that almost half of all black (45 percent) and Hispanic (46 percent) children who died in crashes were not buckled up, compared to 26 percent of white children (2009-2010).

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The Vital Signs report also found that:

• One in three children who died in crashes in 2011 was not buckled up.
• Only 2 out of every 100 children live in states that require car seat or booster seat use for children age 8 and under.

Child passenger restraint laws result in more children being buckled up. A recent study by Eichelberger et al, showed that among five states that increased the required car seat or booster seat age to 7 or 8 years, car seat and booster seat use tripled, and deaths and serious injuries decreased by 17 percent.

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To help keep children safe on the road, parents and caregivers can:

• Use car seats, booster seats, and seat belts in the back seat—on every trip, no matter how short.
  • Rear-facing car seat from birth up to age 2
    Buckle children in a rear-facing seat until age 2 or when they reach the upper weight or height limit of that seat.
  • Forward-facing car seat from age 2 up to at least age 5 When children outgrow their rear-facing seat, they should be buckled in a forward-facing car seat until at least age 5 or when they reach the upper weight or height limit of that seat.
  • Booster seat from age 5 up until seat belt fits properlyOnce children outgrow their forward-facing seat, they should be buckled in a booster seat until seat belts fit properly. The recommended height for proper seat belt fit is 57 inches tall.
  • Seat belt once it fits properly without a booster seatChildren no longer need to use a booster seat once seat belts fit them properly. Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs (not the stomach) and the shoulder belt lays across the chest (not the neck).

• Install and use car seats according to the owner’s manual or get help installing them from a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.

 

Read the entire press release here