Home
Children are particularly at risk for death and injury as occupants in motor vehicle crashes. In the United States in 1996, more than 305,000 children ages 14 and under were injured in motor vehicle-related crashes. Children ages 4 and under accounted for more than one-fourth of these injuries. Seventy-five percent of motor vehicle crashes occur within 25 miles of home. In addition, 60 percent of crashes occur on roads with posted speed limits of 40 mph or less.
Approximately 35 percent of children ages 4 and under ride unrestrained, placing them at twice the risk from death and injury than those riding restrained. The majority of automobile crash deaths result from fatal head injuries, especially among the youngest children. The total annual cost of motor vehicle-related death and injury exceeds $33 billion for all children ages 14 and under, and exceeds $8.5 billion among children ages 4 and under. Child safety seats and safety belts, when correctly used and installed, can prevent injury and save lives. From 1982 through 1995, it is estimated that 2,934 lives were saved by child restraint use. Nearly 280 children ages 4 and under were saved as a result of child restraint use in 1995 alone. Misuse of child safety seats is widespread. It is estimated that nearly 80 percent of children who are placed in child safety seats are improperly restrained. Always use child safety seats and/or safety belts correctly every time you ride. Restrain children ages 12 and under in the back seat. Infants, until at least 1 year old and at least 20 pounds, should be in rear-facing child safety seats. Never put a rear-facing infant or convertible safety seat in the front passenger seat of a vehicle with a passenger air bag. Read the instruction manual and your motor vehicle owner's manual for directions on proper installation. Some vehicles require supplemental attachment hardware, such as a special child seat buckle, to ensure proper fit of child safety seats.
For adults, lap/shoulder safety belts, when used correctly, reduce the risk of death or serious injury to adult front-seat passenger car occupants by 45 percent and reduce the risk of moderate-to-critical injury by 50 percent. Air bags, combined with lap/shoulder safety belts, offer the most effective protection available today for adult passenger vehicle occupants. It is estimated that air bags saved nearly 1,200 lives between 1987 and 1995; 475 lives were saved in 1995 alone. As of September 1997, 46 children have been killed by passenger air bags. Nearly all of these children were either unrestrained or improperly restrained.
The Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department has launched a program to educate the public on how to use child safety seats properly. The primary goal of this program is to reduce the amount of misuse of child safety seats and safety belts, thereby reducing motor vehicle-related deaths and injuries. Specific objectives of this program include educating parents and care givers and other transporters about the correct use of child safety seats and seat belts, ensuring correct installation of child safety seats and increasing public awareness of the State's Child Passenger Safety Law and the benefits of having correct, consistent use of child passenger safety seats.
Car Seat Check Up Events are regularly scheduled where parents and care givers can have their car seats checked for correct installation and usage by a child passenger safety specialist. In addition, we provide free child safety seats and educational material on motor vehicle-related safety issues to low-income families identified by the County Health Department's "WIC" (Women, Infant & Children) program. A primary method of getting our message to the community is through educational programs at elementary schools and educational workshops on child passenger safety for parents, care givers and automobile dealership staff. For more information on this valuable program and how you can become involved, please call (301) 772-9129.
Article from the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department Newsletter, January 29, 1998.
We would greatly appreciate your feedback about this site.
 RSS FeedCopyright © 2008 University of Maryland DES |
 |
UM Home | Directories | Search | Calendar Maintained by Department of Environmental Safety Direct questions and comments to safety@umd.edu |