Advances in technology, legislation, enforcement, and research combined with collaborative partnerships and community outreach have improved outcomes for children in motor vehicle crashes. In the United States from 2002 to 2011, fatalities decreased by 46% in the 14 and younger age group and 49% in the 8 to 14 age group. In Indiana from 2008-2012, there was a 10% decrease in fatalities for children 0-15 years of age. 1
Using child restraints improves a child’s chances of surviving a crash. An estimated 9,874 children under the age of 5 were saved during 1975 through 2011 due to the use of child restraints. In 2011, 30% of child passenger fatalities among children 4 and younger were unrestrained.
Unrestrained child occupants are more at risk of serious injury than their restrained counterparts. According to the Indiana Traffic Safety Facts Children 2012, only 4% of properly restrained children were seriously injured compared to 13% of unrestrained children. This indicates that an unrestrained child is 3 times more likely to be injured than a restrained child.
The Automotive Safety Program continues to lead Indiana’s efforts to increase proper restraint use by children through state of the art programming, research, training and education. On this website you will find information about where to find resources for families who need help with child safety seats, such as child safety seat inspection stations (“permanent fitting stations”) and car seat clinics. The website also includes information on training opportunities, Safe Kids Indiana, special needs transportation, and child safety seats. We even have information dedicated to grandparents and Spanish-speaking families.
- National Center for Statistics and Analysis. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Traffic Safety Facts 2011 Data Children. May 2013. DOT HS 811 767.
- Indiana University Center for Criminal Justice Research. Indiana Traffic Safety Facts: Children 2012. Issue 13-C06. June 2013.