- In 2023 alone, the 8- to 12-year-old age group had the highest number of fatalities (314) among children in traffic crashes. This age group is often found to be using the wrong type of restraint for their age and size. Moving a child passenger into a booster seat or adult seat belt before they are the right age and size can increase the risk of injury and death.
- In 2023, almost half (49%) of the children killed while riding in light pickup trucks were unrestrained, followed by SUVs (38%), passenger cars (39%), and vans (44%). Children are safest when secured in the proper car seats or booster seats for their ages and sizes, regardless of the vehicle type.
- Parents and caregivers can model safety for their kids. Research shows there is a strong correlation between caregivers who buckle up and their child passengers’ seat belt use. In 2023, of the child passengers killed in crashes while riding with an unbuckled driver, 64% of those children were also unbuckled.
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