Car Accidents And Child Injuries
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that several studies have suggested that car accident is the leading cause of death among American children.
According to CDC, 1,335 children ages 14 years and below were killed in car crashes in 2005 alone. During the same year, more than 184,000 children were also injured in car accidents. With this statistics, the group estimated that 4 deaths and 504 injuries relating to car crashes happen every day in the US.
In a recent study, it has been found that one out of four children ages 0 to 14 who died in car collision were involved in driving under the influence (DUI) cases. Surprisingly, more than 75 percent of these deaths were passengers of drunk drivers.
Meanwhile, child injuries and deaths can be avoided if parents will know how to make their car safer for their young children.
Here are some of the safety guidelines to make the road safer for young passengers:
All children ages 12 years and younger should stay in the back seat.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), young children are the most vulnerable age group in car accidents. And because the front part of the vehicle is the most susceptible to damages in collision, back seat is the safest area for young passengers.
In a study, placing children in the back seat can reduce their chances to get seriously injured by up to 40 percent.
Be extra careful in driving when there is a child passenger
Drivers should be extra careful when driving with children. This means they should obey the speed limit, remain sober when driving, never cut into the lane, and never use mobile phones in reading, sending, and texting messages.
Know how to properly use child restraint systems
While safety equipment can save lives, it may be ineffective if people will not use these properly.
According to CDC study, 72 percent of cars with child restraints and booster seats have incorrect safety systems which can predispose children to more fatal injuries.
Use car seats for children
In 2006, car seats for children ages 5 and younger have saved 425 lives, according to CDC survey.
Another recent study also revealed that child safety seats reduce deaths among infants and toddlers (1 to 4 years old) by 71 percent and 54 percent, respectively.
Child car seats
Because child car seats have made the road safer for young passengers, California and the federal government have made it mandatory to use these safety equipment and accessories.
However, parents should make sure to use car seats which passed the NHTSA quality and safety standard.
Meanwhile, here are the four types of car seats according to NHTSA:
1. Rear-facing seat this child seat is used for month-old to 1-year-old babies who weigh at least 20 lbs.
2. Forward-facing toddler seat this child seat is for 1-year-old to 4-year-old children who weigh at least 40 lbs.
3. Booster seats this is for children ages 4 to eight years old who are at least 49 tall and below.
4. Safety belt for 8-year-old children who are at least 5 feet tall.
According to CDC, 1,335 children ages 14 years and below were killed in car crashes in 2005 alone. During the same year, more than 184,000 children were also injured in car accidents. With this statistics, the group estimated that 4 deaths and 504 injuries relating to car crashes happen every day in the US.
In a recent study, it has been found that one out of four children ages 0 to 14 who died in car collision were involved in driving under the influence (DUI) cases. Surprisingly, more than 75 percent of these deaths were passengers of drunk drivers.
Meanwhile, child injuries and deaths can be avoided if parents will know how to make their car safer for their young children.
Here are some of the safety guidelines to make the road safer for young passengers:
All children ages 12 years and younger should stay in the back seat.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), young children are the most vulnerable age group in car accidents. And because the front part of the vehicle is the most susceptible to damages in collision, back seat is the safest area for young passengers.
In a study, placing children in the back seat can reduce their chances to get seriously injured by up to 40 percent.
Be extra careful in driving when there is a child passenger
Drivers should be extra careful when driving with children. This means they should obey the speed limit, remain sober when driving, never cut into the lane, and never use mobile phones in reading, sending, and texting messages.
Know how to properly use child restraint systems
While safety equipment can save lives, it may be ineffective if people will not use these properly.
According to CDC study, 72 percent of cars with child restraints and booster seats have incorrect safety systems which can predispose children to more fatal injuries.
Use car seats for children
In 2006, car seats for children ages 5 and younger have saved 425 lives, according to CDC survey.
Another recent study also revealed that child safety seats reduce deaths among infants and toddlers (1 to 4 years old) by 71 percent and 54 percent, respectively.
Child car seats
Because child car seats have made the road safer for young passengers, California and the federal government have made it mandatory to use these safety equipment and accessories.
However, parents should make sure to use car seats which passed the NHTSA quality and safety standard.
Meanwhile, here are the four types of car seats according to NHTSA:
1. Rear-facing seat this child seat is used for month-old to 1-year-old babies who weigh at least 20 lbs.
2. Forward-facing toddler seat this child seat is for 1-year-old to 4-year-old children who weigh at least 40 lbs.
3. Booster seats this is for children ages 4 to eight years old who are at least 49 tall and below.
4. Safety belt for 8-year-old children who are at least 5 feet tall.
