Did you know that about 43% of children who die in traffic accidents do so because they are not properly restrained? Sometimes the only good thing that comes from a very unfortunate situation is the possibility that the story will help prevent it from happening to someone else. That’s exactly why today we’re sharing with you the top reasons why proper vehicle child restraints are so important.
In 2022, a child died in Virginia after being hit by the vehicle in which she was sitting, without restraints. When another passenger opened the door, the child fell out of the vehicle. According to news reports, police said the driver “immediately got out of the vehicle while the SUV’s transmission was still in gear, causing it to spin over the child.” This is an unfortunate situation that clearly could have been avoided in the first place.
The evidence is clear: the right child restraints can save lives
The bottom line is that consistent and correct use of appropriate child restraint systems in vehicles reduces the risk of injury and death. This includes car seats, booster seats, etc.
According to the Journal of Pediatrics, nearly 50% of children are at risk of neglect in this area alone. It has been estimated that 95% of families install their baby’s seat incorrectly and up to 75% face their baby’s car seat in the wrong direction. Their report showed several factors that increase the likelihood of a child dying in a car crash according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The report looked at 18,116 children under the age of 15 involved in fatal car crashes between 2010 and 2014. Of those 18,116 children, about 16 percent died in a car crash. 43% of children who died were either inadequately restrained or not restrained at all.
Arizona car accident trends need to change
Arizona also saw a 1 percent increase in fatal crashes in 2018 compared to 2017. Additionally, in 2018 alone, 3,134 children under the age of 14 were seriously injured in motor vehicle crashes. Of those, 34 ended in death and the crashes cost the state around $19 billion, nowhere near what it was worth to save those lives.
We urge all parents to take the time to properly install car seats and use the correct child restraint systems in vehicles – they can save lives!
- Start by knowing the laws and regulations: what seat your child should be using now and when to switch to another seat. This is so important!
- Have a local law enforcement officer or certified car seat installer check that you are using the correct restraints and that they are properly installed.
- Recycle old or expired car seats or those that have been in accidents.
We hope this reminder helps you in some small (or large) way. At Good Works Auto Repair, our automotive experts are always here to answer any of your vehicle-related questions and can help guide you in the right direction. Our goal is to help keep your vehicle safe and running properly so you can focus on these kinds of things for your family!
