In both single vehicle and multi-vehicle crashes, unrestrained children in passenger cars or LTVs (sport utility vehicle, van, or pickup) were more likely to be killed (among fatal crashes) or injured (among non-fatal crashes), as compared to restrained children. In multi-vehicle fatal crashes, unrestrained children in LTVs were from 2.5 to 5.4 times as likely to be fatally injured as children who were restrained; comparatively, for children in passenger cars, being unrestrained made the child 1.6 to 1.8 times as likely to be fatally injured. Child passenger age categories in this report were 0-3, 4-7, and 8-15 years old. In fatal crashes, restrained children in passenger cars were more likely to be fatally injured than restrained children in LTVs. Restrained children in the front seat were more likely to be fatally injured than restrained children in second seat. In two-vehicle fatal crashes involving a passenger car and a LTV, a larger percent of passengers traveling in the passenger car were fatally injured than those traveling in the LTV. The objective of this study is to analyze passenger vehicle crashes involving children 0 to 15 years old. The Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), and National Automotive Sampling System (NASS) General Estimates System (GES) were consulted to establish restraint usage trends over a five-year period from 1998 through 2002. The study is intended to provide a better understanding of where to focus future safety efforts designed to improve highway transportation for children. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting