Child Passenger Safety

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Medical Author:

David Perlstein, MD, MBA, FAAP

David Perlstein, MD, MBA, FAAP

Dr. Perlstein received his Medical Degree from the University of Cincinnati and then completed his internship and residency in pediatrics at The New York Hospital, Cornell medical Center in New York City. After serving an additional year as Chief Pediatric Resident, he worked as a private practitioner and then was appointed Director of Ambulatory Pediatrics at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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• Child Passenger Safety Introduction
• Types of Child Passenger Restraints
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Child Passenger Protection Laws
• Ten Tips for Safer Travel
• Conclusion
• Pictures of Car Seats for Infants and Toddlers and Booster Seats for Older Children
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors

Child Passenger Safety Introduction

It is well documented that in the United States, the leading cause of preventable deaths among children results from injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents. Simply placing children in age- and size-appropriate car seats and booster seats reduces the incidence of these injuries by more than 50%.

One of a parent's primary responsibilities is to protect their children from injury. Nowhere is protection more crucial than in transporting children in motor vehicles.

• Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death to children of all races.



• Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in children 5-14 years of age.



• Proper use of motor vehicle occupant restraints has been shown to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured in car crashes.



• Here is a historical review of the important events in the evolution of auto occupant safety restraints
  
  
  • 1968 - Seat belts installed in front and back seats
  
  
  
  • 1970 - First protective infant car seat
  
  
  
  • 1975 - Car seat use estimated at 5%
  
  
  
  • 1978 - First state passes mandatory child restraint law
  
  
  
  • 1981 - First federal car seat crash test standard
  
  
  
  • 1985 - Child restraint use laws in all 50 states
  
  
  
  • 1985 - Several states pass mandatory seat belt laws
  .
  
  
  • 1998 - Car seat use is estimated at 71%.
  
  
  
  • 1999 - Introduction of universal child restraint systems with standard-nylon tethers prevalent on new car seats
  
  
  
  • 1999 - New web-based resources evolve to raise awareness of child safety issues: "SAFE KIDS: Look How Far We've Come," National Safe Kids Campaign
  
  
  
  • 1975 to 2008 - About 9,000 lives were saved by child restraints.
  
  
  
  • 2008 -  Car seat use is estimated to be > 95% for children under 1 year of age.

Despite these interventions, in 2008 alone, about four children under the age of 14 were killed in motor vehicle accidents every day, with many more injured.