Data on young children and traffic collisions

If you worry about your child’s safety, you may have a number of concerns, from issues at school to medication they take. However, traffic accidents are particularly worrisome for many parents, and these collisions account for many of the serious injuries that young children suffer every year. On the road, many different risks could threaten the well-being of your child, from drunk drivers to your child becoming involved in an accident while riding a bike or walking.

It is vital to review statistics on traffic collisions involving children in order to grasp the scope of this problem.

Statistics on traffic crashes and kids

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published data on young children and traffic accidents. During 2020, over 63,000 children aged 12 and under sustained injuries as a result of traffic accidents. Tragically, more than 600 children in this age group lost their lives over the course of 2020.

Among the children who died in traffic collisions during 2020, 38% were not restrained properly, which highlights the importance of buckling up.

Other data on kids and traffic collisions

The CDC says that child passengers in rural locations have a higher chance of losing their lives in comparison to urban areas. Moreover, alcohol played a role in 24% of passenger fatalities involving children 14 and under.

As a parent, you can help keep your child safe by ensuring that they are always restrained properly while riding in a vehicle, based on their age and size. However, a negligent driver could cause an accident that leaves your child injured regardless of the preventative measures that you take, in which case you deserve justice.