The most common cause of death among young children is car crashes. In fact, 1,346 children under the age of 15 were killed in motor vehicle collisions in 2015 alone. That adds up to more than 3 kids dying each day. Understanding how to properly secure a child in a safety seat can go a long way in keeping them safe during a car accident.
The National Safety Council (NSC) suggests that state requirements for restraint systems do not adequately fit the laws of physics. NSC provides the following tips on child passenger safety:
- Pregnant women should schedule a car seat installation appointment with a certified child passenger safety technician before their child is born.
- Children should be seated in the back seats until the age of 12.
- When a child complains about wearing their seatbelt, don’t start driving until they have buckled up.
- Wear your seatbelt consistently to set an example. This can strongly influence a child to make bucking their seatbelt a habit.
- Although airbags can save the lives of adults, they can be fatal for small children.
- The life of a car seat is between six and eight years.
In addition to improper use of safety seats, teen drivers also pose a significant safety risk. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), car accidents are the number one cause of death among teenagers. In 2015, the death toll among teens between the ages of 13 to 19 was 2,715. This includes both pedestrian and bicycle incidents and equals more than 7 deaths per day. According to additional data from NHTSA, passengers traveling with young drivers accounted for 975 fatalities, while occupants in other vehicles accounted for 1,320. Additionally, non-occupant fatalities caused by teen driving totaled 521.
Have you or a loved one been involved in a car accident and you don’t know how to handle the situation at hand? Rest assured, when you enlist in the help of our personal injury lawyers of Casey Law Offices, S.C., we are dedicated to helping you survive this difficult time with ease. No matter the complexities of your particular situation, we are tireless in our pursuit of justice on your behalf--we will fight for you.
Have more questions about safe driving? Contact our Wisconsin car accident lawyer to find out how we can assist you today.