Unrestrained Children in Car Crashes: A Leading Cause of Fatality

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children under the age of 13 in the United States. In 2020, there were 1,260 children killed in traffic crashes, and of those, 413 were unrestrained. This means that over a third of children who died in traffic crashes were not properly restrained in a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt.

The NHTSA also reports that children who are unrestrained are 70% more likely to be killed in a crash than children who are properly restrained. Additionally, children who are seated in the front seat are three times more likely to be killed in a crash than children who are seated in the back seat.

For these reasons, it is important to ensure that children are properly restrained in a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt every time they ride in a motor vehicle. This can significantly reduce their risk of injury or death in a crash.