This document is available to the public from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161

U.S. Department

of Transportation 

National Highway

Traffic Safety

Administration

DOT HS 809 410 March 2002

Technical Report

Fatalities and Injuries to 0-8 Year Old 

Passenger Vehicle Occupants based on 

Impact Attributes

Published By:

National Center for Statistics and Analysis

Research and Development
This publication is distributed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic 

Safety Administration, National Center for Statistics and Analysis in the interest of information

exchange. The opinions, findings and conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the 

author(s) and not necessarily those of the Department of Transportation, the National Highway Traffic 

Safety Administration or the National Center for Statistics and Analysis. The United States Government 

assumes no liability for its contents or use thereof. If trade or manufacturers= names or products are 

mentioned, it is only because they are considered essential to the object of the publication and should not 

be construed as an endorsement. The United States Government does not endorse products or

manufacturers.
Technical Report Documentation Page

1. Report No.

DOT HS 809 410

2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient's Catalog No.

5. Report Date

March 2002

4. Title and Subtitle

Fatalities and Injuries to 0-8 Year Old Passenger Vehicle Occupants based on 

Impact Attributes 6. Performing Organization Code

NRD-31

7. Author(s)

Starnes, Marc; Eigen, Ana Maria

8. Performing Organization Report No.

9. Performing Organization Name and Address 10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS)

Mathematical Analysis Division, National Center for Statistics and Analysis

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

U.S. Department of Transportation

NRD-31, 400 Seventh Street, S.W.

Washington, D.C. 20590

11. Contract or Grant No.

13. Type of Report and Period Covered

NHTSA Technical Report

12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address

Mathematical Analysis Division, National Center for Statistics and Analysis

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

U.S. Department of Transportation

NRD-31, 400 Seventh Street, S.W.

Washington, D.C. 20590

14. Sponsoring Agency Code

15. Supplementary Notes

Umesh Shankar of the Mathematical Analysis Division contributed in the review and preparation of this report.

16. Abstract

The number of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities among children 0 to 8 years old has shifted relatively little from 923 

in 1991 to 895 in 2000. During this time-period, the number of annual fatalities decreased 9 percent among children 0 to 

3 years old, and rose 3 percent among children 4 to 8 years old. Among children 0 to 3 years old, the percentage of 

fatalities where the child was unrestrained dropped from 58 percent in 1991 to 34 percent in 2000, mainly due to the 

increased usage of child safety seats. This percentage dropped from 64 percent to 48 percent for the 4 to 8 year old age 

group, as lap and/or shoulder belt usage increased.

Crashes involving frontal impacts accounted for more than 5 times as many fatalities as rear impacts, among children 0 to 

8 years old. Sixty-one percent of side impact fatalities involved children seated adjacent to the impacted side, while only 

20 percent involved children seated opposite the side of impact.

The objective of this study by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA) is to analyze passenger vehicle 

crashes involving children 0 to 8 years old. The NCSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), NCSA’s National 

Automotive Sampling System (NASS) General Estimates System (GES), and NASS Crashworthiness Data System (CDS) 

were consulted to establish restraint usage trends over a ten-year period and contrasted with National Occupant Protection 

Use Survey (NOPUS) restraint usage rates in preparing this report. Fatality rates were calculated using population data 

from the U.S. Census Bureau and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The 

study is intended to provide a better understanding of where to focus future safety efforts designed to improve highway 

transportation for young children.

17. Key Words

restraint use, child safety seat. Lap belt, shoulder belt, 

seating position, injury severity, crash mode, passenger 

vehicles, fatality rates

18. Distribution Statement

Document is available to the public through the National 

Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161

http//:www.ntis.gov

19. Security Classif. (of this report)

Unclassified

20. Security Classif. (of this page)

Unclassified

21. No. of Pages

98

22. Price

Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72) Reproduction of completed page authorized
TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.................................................................................................. 3

1.1 SUMMARY........................................................................................................................ 3

1.2 CONCLUSIONS.................................................................................................................. 4

2. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................. 5

3. ANALYTICAL APPROACH .............................................................................................. 6

3.1 DATA SOURCES................................................................................................................ 6

3.2 METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................... 6

4. PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANT FATALITY AND INJURY DATA.................. 9

4.1 PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANTS KILLED, BY RESTRAINT USE (FARS DATA).............. 9

4.2 PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANTS INJURED, BY RESTRAINT USE (GES DATA)............. 12

4.3 PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANT INJURIES, BY INJURY SEVERITY, INJURED BODY 

REGION AND RESTRAINT USE (CDS DATA)................................................................... 15

5. PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANTS KILLED OR INJURED, BY 

RESTRAINT USE.............................................................................................................. 18

5.1 PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANTS KILLED, BY AGE GROUP, YEAR AND 

RESTRAINT USE ............................................................................................................. 18

5.2 PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANTS INJURED, BY RESTRAINT USE.................................. 27

6. PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANT FATALITY RATES, BY AGE...................... 29

6.1 PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANT FATALITY RATES PER 100,000 POPULATION, 

BYAGE .......................................................................................................................... 29

6.2 PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANT FATALITY RATES PER 100 BILLION VEHICLE MILES 

TRAVELED, BY AGE....................................................................................................... 32

7. PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANTS KILLED, BY RESTRAINT USE, 

SEATING POSITION, AND AGE.................................................................................... 36

7.1 PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANTS KILLED, BY YEAR, RESTRAINT USE AND SEATING 

POSITION, AGE 0 - 8 ...................................................................................................... 36

7.2 PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANTS KILLED, BY YEAR, RESTRAINT USE AND SEATING 

POSITION, AGE < 1......................................................................................................... 38

7.3 PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANTS KILLED, BY YEAR, RESTRAINT USE AND SEATING 

POSITION, AGE 1 – 3...................................................................................................... 40

7.4 PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANTS KILLED, BY YEAR, RESTRAINT USE AND SEATING 

POSITION, AGE 4 – 8...................................................................................................... 43
TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)

8. PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANTS KILLED, BY RESTRAINT USE, 

PRINCIPAL IMPACT POINT, SEATING POSITION, AND AGE............................. 45

8.1 PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANTS KILLED, BY RESTRAINT USE, SEATING POSITION, 

FRONT/REAR IMPACT AND AGE..................................................................................... 45

8.2 PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANTS KILLED, BY RESTRAINT USE, SEATING POSITION 

RELATIVE TO SIDE IMPACT ............................................................................................ 57

9. PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANT INJURIES, BY RESTRAINT USE, 

ABREVIATED INJURY SCALE AND INJURED BODY REGION ........................... 75

9.1 PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANT AIS 1 INJURIES, BY RESTRAINT USE AND INJURED 

BODY REGION................................................................................................................ 75

9.2 PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANT AIS 2 INJURIES, BY RESTRAINT USE AND INJURED 

BODY REGION................................................................................................................ 77

9.3 PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANT AIS 3 - 6 INJURIES, BY RESTRAINT USE AND 

INJURED BODY REGION.................................................................................................. 79

10. CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................................................. 81

10.1 FATALITY RATE PER VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED .......................................................... 81

10.2 OVERALL FATALITIES .................................................................................................... 81

10.3 FATALITIES INVOLVING UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANTS ................................................... 81

10.4 FATALITIES BY SEATING POSITION................................................................................. 82

10.5 FATALITIES BY LONGITUDINAL PRINCIPAL IMPACT POINT............................................. 82

10.6 FATALITIES BY LATERAL PRINCIPAL IMPACT POINT...................................................... 82

10.7 INJURY SEVERITY........................................................................................................... 83

10.8 BODY REGION VULNERABILITY..................................................................................... 83

11. APPENDIX...................................................................................................................... 84

11.1 DATA SOURCES.............................................................................................................. 84

11.2 PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANT AIS INJURIES, BY RESTRAINT USE AND INJURED 

BODY REGION................................................................................................................ 87

11.3 PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANT AIS INJURIES, BY RESTRAINT USE, SEATING 

POSITION, AND INJURED BODY REGION......................................................................... 90

11.4 U.S. RESIDENT POPULATION DATA ............................................................................... 96

12. REFERENCES................................................................................................................ 97
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 3

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report, published by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) 

National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA), provides insight into fatalities and 

injuries to passenger vehicle occupants, age 0 through 8 years old, based on a variety of 

impact attributes. Variables examined include restraint use, seating position, principal 

vehicle impact point, injury severity, injured body region, and passenger age. The 

analysis was based on 1991-2000 data from several different databases: NCSA’s Fatality 

Analysis Reporting System (FARS), a census of fatal motor vehicle crashes; NCSA’s 

National Automotive Sampling System General Estimates System (GES) and

Crashworthiness Data System (CDS), which collect data regarding injuries resulting from 

motor vehicle crashes; Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) data regarding vehicle 

miles traveled (VMT); and, the United States Census Bureau, general population data.

Passenger vehicle occupant fatalities for children age 0 through 8 years old remained 

relatively constant from 1991 through 2000, despite a significant increase in the annual 

number of passenger vehicle miles traveled. Key factors contributing to this

improvement in child passenger safety include a reduction in the percentage of children 

traveling unrestrained, and an increase in the usage of child safety seats and lap and/or 

shoulder belts.

This report does not analyze all variables existing within the databases created by NCSA. 

Further analyses can be done which expand the understanding of fatality and injury risks 

facing young children traveling within passenger vehicles. NCSA plans to conduct these 

analyses and report the findings in the future.

1.1 Summary

Conclusions listed below are based on the following categorical specifications included 

within the FARS and NASS database systems.

Vehicle Type : Passenger vehicles (passenger cars and light trucks)

Ages: 0 through 8 years old

Restraint Use: Child safety seat, lap and/or shoulder belt, unrestrained, and

other/unknown

Seating Positions: Front passenger seat (middle and right) and second seat (left, middle, 

and right)

Principal Impact Points: Front impact, rear impact, near side impact, and far side 

impact

Injury Severity: Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) ranging from AIS 1, minor through AIS 

6, maximum (untreatable)

Years: 1991 – 2000.
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 4

1.2 Conclusions

The following conclusions are based on the analysis within this report. Based on these 

conclusions, NCSA will conduct further studies to gain more insight into the fatality and 

injury risks facing young children.

ÿ Exposure data show that the number of annual vehicle miles traveled has

increased nearly 25 percent between 1991 and 2000.

ÿ For children within the age groups less than 1, 1 through 3, and 4 through 8, the 

fatality rates per vehicle miles traveled have declined, as the use of child safety 

seats and lap and/or shoulder belts have increased.

ÿ The overall number of annual fatalities decreased 9 percent within the 0 through 3 

year old age range, corresponding to 1996 implementation of the NHTSA Buckle 

Up America campaign and the National Safety Council’s Airbag and Seatbelt 

Safety campaign.

ÿ The overall number of annual fatalities increased 3 percent within the 4 through 8 

year old age range.

ÿ The number of fatalities where the occupant was unrestrained decreased 47

percent within the 0 through 3 year old age range and decreased 23 percent within 

the 4 through 8 year old age range.

ÿ Concurrent with the 1996 traffic safety campaigns intended to improve child 

passenger safety, the seating position of many children shifted from the front seat 

to the second seat.

ÿ Many more fatalities were attributable to frontal impacts versus rear impacts, 

despite the shifting of children to rear seats.

ÿ Among side impact crashes, the number of near side fatalities is 2.6 times greater 

than the number of far side fatalities.

ÿ Of the six injury severity levels ranging from minor to maximum, 92 percent of 

all injuries occur within the injury level of least severity, minor.

ÿ Head injuries account for 57 percent of all injuries.
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 5

2. INTRODUCTION

More than 9,500 0 through 8 year old passenger vehicle occupants were killed and more 

than 1,430,000 0 through 8 year old passenger vehicle occupants were injured in motor 

vehicle crashes from 1991 through 2000. This report by NCSA examines 0 through 8 

year old passenger vehicle occupant fatalities and injuries from 1991 through 2000.

The purpose of this report is to:

• Use FARS, GES and CDS data to analyze passenger vehicle crashes involving 

children age 0 through 8 years old

• Use exposure data including VMT from FHWA, and population size from the US 

Census Bureau

• Calculate fatality rates by combining exposure data with FARS data

• Gain a better understanding of where to focus future safety efforts designed to 

improve highway transportation for young children

This report analyzes the relationship between many variables pertaining to the safety of 

children in passenger vehicles. The focus of this report includes the impact of different 

methods of restraint use, including children in child safety seats, lap and/or shoulder 

belts, or traveling unrestrained. The report examines children less than one year old, 1 

through 3 years old, 4 through 8 years old, and the combined age category of 0 through 8 

years old.
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 6

3. ANALYTICAL APPROACH

The analytical approach for the report involved the following steps:

• Reviewing the data sources, FARS, GES, CDS, FHWA and US Census Bureau

• Formulating a methodology to determine the elements of interest

• Calculating percentages and rates to analyze 10 years of trend data within specific 

data elements

• Summarizing data that focus on the safety of children in passenger vehicles

3.1 Data Sources

In compiling the data for child occupants ages 0 through 8 years old, five primary sources 

were consulted. These were:

• Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) relating to fatal traffic crashes

• National Automotive Sampling System (NASS) – General Estimates System

(GES) relating to injury crashes

• NASS - Crashworthiness Data System (CDS) relating to injury crashes

• 2000 Traffic Safety Facts for Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) data for 

vehicle miles traveled

• U.S. Census Bureau for resident population

Descriptions of relevant data sources are included in the Appendix, Section 11.1.

3.2 Methodology

The following sections provide an overview relative to the variables and statistics used 

within this report.

3.2.1 Variables

Vehicle Type - The report examines fatalities and injuries to occupants of

passenger vehicles. Passenger vehicles include the following body types: 

passenger cars, vans, pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, and other light trucks.

Age - Children within the age range of 0 through 8 years old are included in this 

report. The data were frequently divided into three age groups: less than one year 
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 7

old, 1 through 3 years old (1, 2, and 3 years old), and 4 through 8 years old (4, 5, 

6, 7, and 8 years old). The age categories remain consistent throughout this 

report, as the phrases “4 through 8 years old”, “4 to 8 years old”, and “4 – 8 years 

old” are all equivalent, representing children of ages 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 years old.

Restraint Use - Restraint use is divided into the following four categories: child 

safety seat, lap and/or shoulder belt, unrestrained, and other/unknown. In

Sections 4.1, 4.2, and 11.1, child safety seat and lap and/or shoulder belt usage are 

combined to form the restrained category.

Seating Position - Children traveling in the front passenger seat and second seat 

were included in this report. The front passenger seat was divided into the front 

middle seat and the front right seat. The second seat was separated into three 

seating positions: right side, middle and left side. The driver’s seating position, 

the third and fourth rows of the vehicle, and other areas were excluded.

Person Type - The report was limited to people within passenger vehicles in 

transport. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and occupants of motor vehicles not in transport 

are excluded from this report.

Impact Points - This study examined the principal impact point of the crash 

limited only to planar crashes. Crashes where the principal impact point occurred 

on the top or undercarriage of the vehicle were excluded in this study. The 

direction of impact was categorized using the 12 clock points. These clock points 

were separated into the following four impact categories: front (11 o’clock, 12, 

and 1), rear (5, 6, and 7), left (8, 9, and 10) and right (2, 3, and 4).

Injury Severity - All charts and tables involving data collected from the FARS 

database provide information relating to fatal crashes. The charts in this report 

created using GES data aggregate all levels of injury severity from the GES 

database. These aggregated levels of injury severity are unique to the GES 

database. The categories of injury severity included within the CDS database are 

as follows: AIS 1 – Minor, AIS 2 – Moderate, AIS 3 – Serious, AIS 4 – Severe, 

AIS 5 – Critical, and AIS 6 – Maximum (untreatable).

Body Region - The CDS categories of injured body regions include: abdomen, 

chest, head, lower extremity, neck, and upper extremity. The lower extremity 

extends from the pelvic region to the foot. The area from the shoulder to the hand 

comprises the upper extremity.

Years - This report examines passenger vehicle fatalities and injuries over the 

years 1991 through 2000. Data gathered from FARS and GES databases include 

information on crashes throughout this time period. Injuries occurring in 1997, 

described in the CDS database, were omitted due to issues involving the

electronic conversion of this database.
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 8

3.2.2 Statistical Qualifiers

From 1991 through 2000, there has been an increase in child safety seat usage and 

lap and/or shoulder belt usage among children in passenger vehicles. During this 

time period, the number of fatalities involving children restrained in these devices 

has risen. This rise can be largely attributable to the increase in restraint usage 

that occurred over this time period.

The passenger vehicle occupant fatality rates per U.S. population are presented in 

Section 6.1. These rates are not calculated based upon restraint usage estimates 

within each age category. For example, the fatality rates for passengers restrained 

by child safety seats, within each age category, are calculated by dividing the 

number of fatalities where the passengers were restrained by a child safety seat by 

the total population size of that age category.

The passenger vehicle occupant fatality rates per vehicle miles traveled (VMT) 

are presented in Section 6.2. The VMT used in the calculations is an estimate of 

the annual number of miles traveled by all passenger vehicles during the years 

1991 through 2000. Given that these figures are estimates of the number of miles 

traveled by passengers of all ages, they are not equal to the number of miles 

traveled by children age 0 through 8. It is assumed, however, that the two 

separate VMT totals for these two age categories are strongly correlated, given 

the diverse age distribution of the drivers of these children.
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 9

4. PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANT FATALITY AND INJURY DATA

This chapter presents findings based on restraint use for all ages and the 0-8 year old age 

group. The restraint use in this section has been categorized as restraint used (both child 

safety seat and lap and/or shoulder belt), none used and unknown in order to make a 

comparison between the two age groups. While Sections 4.1 and 4.2 have a restraint use 

category listed as “unknown”, the final restraint use category of Section 4.3 is defined as 

“other/unknown” owing to the precision of additional restraint use data within the CDS 

database.

4.1 Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, by Restraint Use (FARS Data)

Table 1 shows the number of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities, for all ages, broken 

down by restraint use. The number of fatalities increased from 30,776 in 1991 to 31,910 

in 2000, a rise of 4 percent. The percentage of fatalities where the occupant was 

restrained by a lap and/or shoulder belt or child safety seat increased from 24 percent in 

1991 to 37 percent in 2000, an increase of 13 percentage points. The percentage of 

fatalities where the passenger was unrestrained, falling under the “None Used” category, 

decreased from 67 percent to 55 percent during this time period. The “Unknown” 

category of restraint use declined only slightly, from 10 percent to 8 percent, for fatally 

injured occupants over the ten year period. In fact, the percentage of fatally injured 

occupants that were restrained increased each year since 1991. However, still more than 

half (55 percent) of the fatally injured occupants were unrestrained in 2000.

The number of fatalities in the 0-8 year old age range dropped from 923 in 1991 to 895 in 

2000, a decrease of 3 percent. Table 2 shows the number of passenger vehicle occupant 

fatalities, for children in the 0 through 8 year old age range, categorized by restraint use. 

The percentage of fatalities where the passenger was restrained by a lap and/or shoulder 

belt or child safety seat increased from 32 percent in 1991 to 53 percent in 2000, an 

increase of 21 percentage points. The percentage of fatalities where the passenger was 

unrestrained decreased by 20 percentage points from 61 percent in 1991 to 41 percent in 

2000. Still over 40 percent of the 0-8 year old fatally injured occupants were

unrestrained in 2000.

A comparison between Table 1 and Table 2 shows that the proportion of fatalities 

involving people who were unrestrained was higher among occupants of all ages

compared to children 0 through 8 years old. The number of fatalities among all ages 

shows a small increase from 1991 to 2000, and a small decrease within the 0-8 year old 

age group despite the large increase in restraint use that occurred during this time period. 

The fact that these numbers of fatalities have risen from 1991 to 2000 is mostly

attributable to the increase in vehicle miles traveled.
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 10

Chart 1: Passenger Vehicle Occupant Fatalities, All Ages, by Year and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

Chart 2: Passenger Vehicle Occupant Fatalities, 0 - 8 Years Old,

by Year and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Year

Number of Fatalities

Restrained None Used Unknown

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Year

Number of Fatalities

Restrained None Used Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 11

Table 1

Passenger Vehicle Occupant Fatalities, All Ages, by Year and Restraint Use

Restraint Use

Year Restrained None Used Unknown Total

1991 7,331 24% 20,488 67% 2,957 10% 30,776

1992 7,698 26% 19,053 65% 2,734 9% 29,485

1993 8,677 29% 18,553 62% 2,847 9% 30,077

1994 9,641 31% 18,636 60% 2,624 8% 30,901

1995 10,152 32% 19,123 60% 2,716 8% 31,991

1996 10,713 33% 18,848 58% 2,876 9% 32,437

1997 10,995 34% 18,642 57% 2,811 9% 32,448

1998 11,213 35% 18,022 56% 2,664 8% 31,899

1999 11,174 35% 18,316 57% 2,637 8% 32,127

2000 11,676 37% 17,618 55% 2,616 8% 31,910

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

Table 2

Passenger Vehicle Occupant Fatalities, Age 0 - 8 Years Old,

by Year and Restraint Use

Restraint Use

Year Restrained None Used Unknown Total

1991 292 32% 564 61% 67 7% 923

1992 320 35% 546 59% 53 6% 919

1993 338 36% 543 57% 67 7% 948

1994 419 41% 537 52% 72 7% 1028

1995 417 42% 500 51% 66 7% 983

1996 457 45% 477 47% 76 8% 1010

1997 434 45% 460 48% 73 8% 967

1998 454 48% 432 45% 69 7% 955

1999 436 46% 440 46% 76 8% 952

2000 470 53% 367 41% 58 6% 895

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 12

4.2 Passenger Vehicle Occupants Injured, by Restraint Use (GES Data)

Table 3 shows the number of passenger vehicle occupants injured, for all ages, broken 

down by restraint use. The number of occupants injured increased from 2,797,000 in 

1991 to 2,938,000 in 2000, an increase of 5 percent. The percentage of occupants injured 

where the passenger was restrained by a lap and/or shoulder belt or child safety seat 

increased from 63 percent in 1991 to 80 percent in 2000, an increase of 17 percentage 

points. The percentage of occupants injured where the passenger was unrestrained, 

falling under the “None Used” category, decreased from 27 percent in 1991 to 12 percent 

in 2000. The percentage of injured occupants who were restrained has increased each 

year from 1991 to 2000.

The number of injured occupants in the 0-8 year old age range declined from 141,000 in 

1991 to 132,000 in 2000, a decrease of 6 percent. Table 4 shows the number of

passenger vehicle occupants injured, for children in the 0 through 8 year old age range, 

categorized by restraint use. The percentage of injured occupants where the passenger 

was restrained by a lap and/or shoulder belt or child safety seat increased from 61 percent 

in 1991 to 83 percent in 2000, an increase of 22 percentage points. The percentage of 

occupants injured where the passenger was unrestrained, falling under the “None Used” 

category, decreased from 31 percent in 1991 to 12 percent in 2000.

Comparing the data from 1991 through 2000, the increase in the percentage of restrained 

occupants injured and the decrease in the percentage of unrestrained occupants injured 

were nearly identical for both children 0 through 8 years old and for all ages combined.

The number of injured occupants for all ages showed a small increase from 1991 to 2000, 

despite the large increase in restraint use that occurred during this time period. The fact 

that the number of injured occupants for all ages has risen from 1991 to 2000 is mostly 

attributable to the increase in the number of vehicle miles traveled.

Restraint use in GES is determined by police and may be overreported for survivors. 

GES estimates are rounded to the nearest thousand.
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 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 13

Chart 3: Passenger Vehicle Occupants Injured, All Ages, by Year and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS GES 1991-2000

Chart 4: Passenger Vehicle Occupants Injured, Age 0 - 8 Years Old,

by Year and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS GES 1991-2000

0

500,000

1,000,000

1,500,000

2,000,000

2,500,000

3,000,000

3,500,000

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Year

Number of Injured

Restrained None Used Unknown

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

160,000

180,000

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Year

Number of Injured

Restrained None Used Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 14

Table 3

Passenger Vehicle Occupants Injured, All Ages, by Year and Restraint Use

Restraint Use

Year Restrained None Used Unknown Total

1991 1,780,000 63% 725,000 27% 292,000 10% 2,797,000

1992 1,854,000 67% 622,000 23% 300,000 10% 2,776,000

1993 1,983,000 69% 589,000 21% 294,000 10% 2,866,000

1994 2,208,000 73% 564,000 20% 223,000 7% 2,995,000

1995 2,415,000 74% 536,000 18% 241,000 8% 3,192,000

1996 2,468,000 76% 509,000 17% 242,000 7% 3,220,000

1997 2,369,000 76% 469,000 16% 258,000 8% 3,095,000

1998 2,297,000 78% 427,000 14% 239,000 8% 2,964,000

1999 2,327,000 78% 412,000 14% 245,000 8% 2,984,000

2000 2,368,000 80% 359,000 12% 211,000 7% 2,938,000

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS GES 1991-2000

Table 4

Passenger Vehicle Occupants Injured, Age 0 - 8 Years Old,

by Year and Restraint Use

Restraint Use

Year Restrained None Used Unknown Total

1991 89,000 61% 41,000 31% 12,000 8% 141,000

1992 80,000 64% 34,000 28% 10,000 8% 122,000

1993 94,000 68% 34,000 25% 11,000 8% 139,000

1994 108,000 72% 32,000 22% 9,000 6% 150,000

1995 111,000 72% 31,000 21% 12,000 7% 153,000

1996 122,000 74% 30,000 20% 9,000 6% 162,000

1997 110,000 74% 23,000 18% 10,000 8% 143,000

1998 113,000 77% 21,000 16% 10,000 7% 144,000

1999 110,000 78% 21,000 14% 13,000 8% 144,000

2000 112,000 83% 14,000 12% 6,000 5% 132,000

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS GES 1991-2000
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 15

4.3 Passenger Vehicle Occupant Injuries, by Injury Severity, Injured Body Region and 

Restraint Use (CDS Data)

The number of passenger vehicle occupant injuries for all ages, categorized by restraint 

use and injury severity, from 1991–1996 and 1998–2000, is shown in Table 5. Injury 

severity is defined using the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS), where the injury severity 

ranges from AIS 1, minor, up through AIS 6, maximum (untreatable). For a description 

of the categories of injury severity (AIS 1 through AIS 6), refer to Section 11.1. Within 

Table 5, it is seen that 88 percent of all injuries are AIS 1 injuries, while 8 percent are 

AIS 2 and 4 percent are among the four categories of AIS 3 – AIS 6. The proportion of 

injuries where the passenger was unrestrained rises as the severity of the injuries

increases. Forty-two percent of AIS 1 injuries were sustained by an unrestrained

passenger. This percentage of unrestrained injuries rose to 55 percent among AIS 2 

injuries, and 62 percent among AIS 3 through AIS 6 injuries.

Table 6 shows the number of passenger vehicle occupant injuries for children in the 0 

through 8 year old age range, categorized by restraint use and injury severity, from 1991–

1996 and 1998-2000. Within this age group, 91 percent of all injuries are AIS 1 injuries, 

while 5 percent are AIS 2 and 4 percent are among the four categories of AIS 3 – AIS 6. 

A comparison of Tables 5 and 6 shows that children in the 0 through 8 year old age range 

have a slightly lower percentage of injuries of severity higher than AIS 1 (9 percent) than 

does the overall population (12 percent), suggesting that children are better restrained 

than adults. As seen within the overall age range, the proportion of injuries among the 0 

through 8 year old passengers where the passenger was unrestrained rises as the severity 

of the injuries increases. Only 33 percent of AIS 1 injuries were sustained by an

unrestrained passenger. This percentage of unrestrained injuries rises to 49 percent 

among AIS 2 injuries, and 52 percent among AIS 3 through AIS 6 injuries.
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 16

Chart 5: Passenger Vehicle Occupant Injuries, All Ages,

by Injury Severity and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS CDS 1991-1996, 1998-2000

Chart 6: Passenger Vehicle Occupant Injuries, Age 0 – 8 Years Old,

by Injury Severity and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS CDS 1991-1996, 1998-2000

0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

AIS 1 AIS 2 AIS 3 - 6

Injury Severity

Number of Injuries

Restrained None Used Other/Unknown

0

4,000,000

8,000,000

12,000,000

16,000,000

20,000,000

24,000,000

28,000,000

AIS 1 AIS 2 AIS 3 - 6

Injury Severity

Number of Injuries

Restrained None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 17

Table 5

Passenger Vehicle Occupant Injuries, All Ages,

by Restraint Use and Injury Severity

Injury Severity

Restraint Use AIS 1 AIS 2 AIS 3-6 Total

Restrained 24,374,144 92% 1,597,752 6% 607,447 2% 26,579,343

None Used 19,070,469 84% 2,279,149 10% 1,266,722 6% 22,616,340

Other/Unknown 2,305,533 83% 295,002 11% 173,030 6% 2,773,565

Total 45,750,146 88% 4,171,902 8% 2,047,198 4% 51,969,247

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS CDS 1991-1996, 1998-2000

Table 6

Passenger Vehicle Occupant Injuries, Age 0 - 8 Years Old,

by Restraint Use and Injury Severity

Injury Severity

Restraint Use AIS 1 AIS 2 AIS 3–6 Total

Restrained 811,972 94% 29,008 3% 23,452 3% 864,431

None Used 417,193 87% 31,652 7% 29,325 6% 478,169

Other/Unknown 50,057 88% 3,581 6% 3,464 6% 57,102

Total 1,279,222 91% 64,241 5% 56,241 4% 1,399,703

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS CDS 1991-1996, 1998-2000
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 18

5. PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANTS KILLED OR INJURED, BY RESTRAINT 

USE

Data regarding passenger vehicle occupants 0-8 years old, killed and injured, are

presented based on restraint use. The categories of restraint use in this section and the 

remainder of this report are: child safety seat, lap and/or shoulder belt, unrestrained, and 

other/unknown.

5.1 Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, by Age Group, Year and Restraint Use

This section discusses passenger vehicle occupant fatalities, broken down by restraint use 

and age group, from 1991 through 2000. The age group categories include 0-8, <1, 1-3, 

and 4-8 years old.

5.1.1 Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, by Year and Restraint Use, Age 0 – 8

Table 7 refers to passenger vehicle occupant fatalities, for children in the 0 

through 8 year old age range, categorized by restraint use. The overall number of 

fatalities dropped slightly from 923 in 1991 to 895 in 2000. The number of 

fatalities where the passenger was unrestrained dropped from 564 in 1991 to 367 

in 2000. As displayed in Table 7, the percentage of fatalities where the passenger 

was unrestrained fell from 61 percent in 1991 to 41 percent in 2000, a reduction 

of 20 percentage points. Given the large increase in lap and/or shoulder belt 

usage during the 1990’s, the number of fatalities where passengers were

restrained by lap and/or shoulder belts rose from 106 in 1991 to 197 in 2000. As 

child safety seat usage climbed significantly during this time-period, the number 

of fatalities where passengers were restrained by a child safety seat rose from 138 

to 261.
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 19

Chart 7: Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 0 - 8 Years Old,

by Year and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

Chart 8: Percent of Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 0 - 8 Years Old,

by Year and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Year

Number of Fatalities

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other / Unknown

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Year

Percent Fatalities

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other / Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 20

Table 7

Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 0 - 8 Years Old, 

by Year and Restraint Use

Restraint Use

Year

Child Safety 

Seat

Lap and/or

Shoulder Belt None Used

Other/

Unknown Total

1991 138 15% 106 11% 564 61% 115 12% 923

1992 156 17% 125 14% 546 59% 92 10% 919

1993 155 16% 147 16% 543 57% 103 11% 948

1994 188 18% 192 19% 537 52% 111 11% 1,028

1995 207 21% 178 18% 500 51% 98 10% 983

1996 223 22% 204 20% 477 47% 106 10% 1,010

1997 211 22% 202 21% 460 48% 94 10% 967

1998 207 22% 227 24% 432 45% 89 9% 955

1999 234 25% 182 19% 440 47% 96 10% 952

2000 261 29% 197 22% 367 41% 70 8% 895

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 21

5.1.2 Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, by Year and Restraint Use, Age < 1

Due to the significant increase in child safety seat usage among children less than 

one year old, the number of unrestrained fatalities fell 55 percent (80 in 1991 to 

36 in 2000). The increase seen from 1991 to 1996 in the number of fatalities was 

reversed with a sharp decline in the number of fatalities in 1997, which may be 

attributable to the 1996 traffic safety campaigns advocating the movement of 

children from the front seat to the second seat. Table 8 refers to passenger vehicle 

occupant fatalities, for children less than one year old, categorized by restraint 

use. The 55 percent reduction in the number of unrestrained fatalities among 

children less than one year old is far larger than the 35 percent decline seen in the 

number of unrestrained fatalities among children age 0 through 8 (564 in 1991 to 

367 in 2000) and the 14 percent decline seen in the number of unrestrained 

fatalities among all ages (20,488 in 1991 to 17,618 in 2000). The increase in 

child safety seat usage during this time-period caused the percentage of fatally 

injured children below one year old restrained by a child safety seat to climb from 

32 percent to 68 percent. The number of fatalities under the age of one has not 

shown any significant increase between 1997 and 2000.

Chart 9: Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age Less than One Year Old,

by Year and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Year

Number of Fatalities

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other / Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 22

Chart 10: Percent of Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age Less than One Year Old, 

by Year and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

Table 8

Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age Less than One Year Old,

by Year and Restraint Use

Restraint Use

Year

Child Safety 

Seat

Lap and/or

Shoulder Belt None Used

Other / 

Unknown Total

1991 46 32% 3 2% 80 56% 14 10% 143

1992 53 42% 1 1% 67 53% 6 5% 127

1993 57 38% 5 3% 82 54% 8 5% 152

1994 68 43% 4 3% 74 46% 14 9% 160

1995 70 46% 2 1% 73 48% 8 5% 153

1996 92 52% 8 4% 59 33% 19 11% 178

1997 82 62% 2 2% 42 32% 7 5% 133

1998 77 56% 4 3% 46 33% 11 8% 138

1999 81 57% 6 4% 47 33% 8 6% 142

2000 89 68% 2 2% 36 27% 4 3% 131

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Year

Percent Fatalities

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other / Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 23

5.1.3 Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, by Year and Restraint Use, Age 1 – 3

Table 9 shows the number and percent of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities, 

for children 1 through 3 years old, categorized by restraint use. Among the three 

age groups (<1, 1 – 3, and 4 – 8), the less than 1 year olds and the 1 through 3 

year olds were the age categories where the number of fatalities clearly dropped 

from 1996 to 2000, each showing a reduction of 26 percent and 11 percent, 

respectively. The number of fatalities where the passenger was unrestrained 

declined from 201 in 1991 to 114 in 2000, a decrease of 43 percent. As child 

safety seat usage increased significantly during this time-period, the number of 

fatalities where passengers were restrained by a child safety seat increased from 

88 to 153. The percent of fatalities where the child was restrained in a lap and/or 

shoulder belt ranged from 6 percent to 15 percent between 1991 and 2000. In 

comparison, this percentage remained below 5 percent for children less than one 

year old. The percent of fatally injured children restrained in a child safety seat 

has increased each year from 33 percent in 1996 to 49 percent in 2000. In 2000, 

only 37 percent of the fatalities among 1 through 3 year olds involved children 

who were unrestrained.

Chart 11: Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 1 - 3 Years Old,

by Year and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Year

Number of Fatalities

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other / Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 24

Chart 12: Percent of Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 1 - 3 Years Old,

by Year and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

Table 9

Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 1 - 3 Years Old,

by Year and Restraint Use

Restraint Use

Year

Child Safety 

Seat

Lap and/or 

Shoulder Belt None Used Other / Unknown Total

1991 88 26% 19 6% 201 59% 32 9% 340

1992 93 27% 25 7% 198 57% 33 9% 349

1993 95 26% 32 9% 196 54% 38 11% 361

1994 111 29% 57 15% 190 50% 23 6% 381

1995 123 35% 47 14% 153 44% 24 7% 347

1996 116 33% 44 13% 154 44% 33 10% 347

1997 115 35% 34 10% 153 47% 27 8% 329

1998 122 40% 47 15% 118 39% 18 6% 305

1999 138 44% 22 7% 125 40% 26 8% 311

2000 153 49% 30 10% 114 37% 13 4% 310

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Year

Percent Fatalities

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other / Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 25

5.1.4 Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, by Year and Restraint Use, Age 4 – 8

The overall number of fatalities in the 4-8 year old age group increased from 440 

in 1991 to 454 in 2000, an increase of 3 percent. Table 10 displays passenger 

vehicle occupant fatalities, for children 4 through 8 years old, categorized by 

restraint use. This increase shows a reverse trend as compared to the 9 percent 

decline in annual fatalities among children less than four years old. The number 

of fatalities among children 4 through 8 years old where the passenger was 

unrestrained dropped from 283 in 1991 to 217 in 2000, a reduction of 23 percent. 

This reduction is minimal compared to the 47 percent decline among unrestrained 

children less than four years old. As lap and/or shoulder belt usage increased 

significantly during this time-period, the percentage of annual fatalities among 

children 4 through 8 years old where the child was restrained by a lap and/or 

shoulder belt increased from 19 percent to 36 percent. Fatalities for children 4 

through 8 years old increased 14 percent over the period 1991 through 1998, 

while an 11 percent reduction in fatalities for this age group was evident from 

1998 through 2000.

Upon comparing Tables 8, 9 and 10, it is clear that children 4 through 8 years old 

had a higher percentage of annual fatalities where the passenger was unrestrained 

than children within the two younger age groups. This percentage among

children 4 through 8 years old ranged from 64 percent in 1991 to 48 percent in 

2000. Comparatively, children 1 through 3 years old (a drop from 59 percent to 

37 percent) and less than one year old (56 percent to 27 percent) had a much 

smaller proportion of fatalities where the passenger was unrestrained.

Chart 13: Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 4 - 8 Years Old,

by Year and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Year

Number of Fatalities

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other / Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 26

Chart 14: Percent of Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 4 - 8 Years Old,

by Year and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

Table 10

Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 4 - 8 Years Old,

by Year and Restraint Use

Restraint Use

Year

Child Safety 

Seat

Lap and/or

Shoulder Belt None Used

Other / 

Unknown Total

1991 4 1% 84 19% 283 64% 69 16% 440

1992 10 2% 99 22% 281 63% 53 12% 443

1993 3 1% 110 25% 265 61% 57 13% 435

1994 9 2% 131 27% 273 56% 74 15% 487

1995 14 3% 129 27% 274 57% 66 14% 483

1996 15 3% 152 31% 264 54% 54 11% 485

1997 14 3% 166 33% 265 52% 60 12% 505

1998 8 2% 176 34% 268 52% 60 12% 512

1999 15 3% 154 31% 268 54% 62 12% 499

2000 19 4% 165 36% 217 48% 53 12% 454

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Year

Percent Fatalities

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other / Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 27

5.2 Passenger Vehicle Occupants Injured, by Restraint Use

Table 11 shows the number and percent of passenger vehicle occupants injured, for 

children in the 0 through 8 year old age range, categorized by restraint use, from 1991 

through 2000. During this time period, the number of children injured where the 

passenger was unrestrained dropped more than 60 percent, from 41,000 to 14,000. Given 

the large increase in lap and/or shoulder belt usage during the 1990’s, the percentage of 

children injured where the child was restrained by a lap and/or shoulder belt increased 

from 33 percent in 1991 to 48 percent in 2000. As child safety seat usage inc reased 

significantly during this time-period, the percentage of children injured where the child 

was restrained by a child safety seat increased from 15 percent to 28 percent.

The percentage of children injured while traveling unrestrained decreased from 31 

percent in 1991 to 12 percent in 2000. Comparatively, the percentage shift of fatalities 

among children 0-8 years old where the passenger was unrestrained went from 61 percent 

in 1991 to 41 percent in 2000, as seen in Table 2. Although fatalities and injuries were 

both reduced during this time period, traveling unrestrained clearly leads to a much larger 

percentage of fatalities than injuries, suggesting that restraint use is saving a tremendous 

number of lives.

Restraint use in GES is determined by police and may be overreported for survivors. 

GES estimates are rounded to the nearest thousand.

Chart 15: Passenger Vehicle Occupants Injured, Age 0 - 8 Years Old,

by Year and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS GES 1991-2000

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

160,000

180,000

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Year

Number of Injured

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other / Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 28

Chart 16: Percent of Passenger Vehicle Occupants Injured, Age 0 - 8 Years Old,

by Year and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS GES 1991-2000

Table 11

Passenger Vehicle Occupants Injured, Age 0 - 8 Years Old,

by Year and Restraint Use

Restraint Use

Year

Child Safety 

Seat

Lap and/or

Shoulder Belt None Used

Other / 

Unknown Total

1991 20,000 15% 48,000 33% 41,000 31% 32,000 21% 141,000

1992 19,000 17% 51,000 39% 34,000 28% 20,000 16% 122,000

1993 23,000 18% 64,000 43% 34,000 25% 19,000 14% 139,000

1994 31,000 19% 69,000 45% 32,000 22% 18,000 14% 150,000

1995 30,000 20% 71,000 46% 31,000 21% 21,000 14% 153,000

1996 37,000 23% 77,000 44% 30,000 20% 17,000 13% 162,000

1997 31,000 21% 71,000 47% 23,000 18% 17,000 14% 143,000

1998 34,000 24% 71,000 47% 21,000 16% 18,000 13% 144,000

1999 36,000 24% 68,000 49% 21,000 14% 20,000 13% 144,000

2000 37,000 28% 66,000 48% 14,000 12% 15,000 12% 132,000

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS GES 1991-2000

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Year

Percent Injured

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other / Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 29

6. PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANT FATALITY RATES, BY AGE

This chapter discusses data relating to passenger vehicle occupant fatality rates based on 

United States resident population and passenger vehicle miles traveled. The definitions 

of these two types of rates appear in the introduction to their respective sections.

6.1 Passenger Vehicle Occupant Fatality Rates per 100,000 Population, by Age

Section 6.1 shows one table and four charts of passenger vehicle occupant fatality rates, 

per 100,000 population. These rates are categorized into four age groups (<1, 1 – 3, 4 –

8, and 0 – 8) during the period from 1991 through 2000, and are calculated using total 

U.S. population sizes for each age category. The population figures used to calculate 

these rates were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau (Section 11.4, Table 45).

Table 12 shows that the 0 through 8 year old rate of fatalities decreased by 5 percent from 

1991 to 2000 (2.74 to 2.60). During this time period, the rate ranged from a low of 2.60 

in 2000 to a high of 2.97 in 1994.

Among the three age categories (<1, 1 – 3, and 4 – 8) which are comprised of children 

within the 0 through 8 year old age range, the fatality rates for the children less than one 

year old were the highest every year from 1991 through 2000. The rate for 4 through 8 

year olds remained the lowest for each of these ten years. 

In 2000, the fatality rate for children 1 through 3 years old was 17 percent higher than the 

rate for children 4 through 8 years old, while children less than one year old had a fatality 

rate 46 percent higher than the 4 through 8 year old age group. These fatality rate ratios 

for 2000 are very similar to the aggregated rate ratios for the period from 1991 through 

2000. From a biomechanics perspective, these findings imply that younger children are 

more at risk for a fatality due to their developing skeletal structure and soft tissue 

vulnerability.
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 30

Table 12

Passenger Vehicle Occupant Fatality Rates per 100,000 Population,

by Year and Age Group

Age Group

Year

Less than

1 Year Old

1 – 3

Years Old

4 – 8 

Years Old

0 – 8

Years Old

1991 3.57 2.96 2.42 2.74

1992 3.19 2.97 2.42 2.70

1993 3.89 3.03 2.34 2.75

1994 4.15 3.22 2.57 2.97

1995 4.01 2.97 2.50 2.83

1996 4.72 3.02 2.47 2.90

1997 3.52 2.89 2.55 2.77

1998 3.64 2.70 2.58 2.74

1999 3.72 2.76 2.54 2.74

2000 3.43 2.74 2.35 2.60

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000 and Census Bureau

Chart 17: Passenger Vehicle Occupant Fatality Rates per 100,000 Population,

Age 0 - 8 Years Old, by Year

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000 and Census Bureau

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Year

Fatality Rate per 100,000 Population
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 31

Chart 18: Passenger Vehicle Occupant Fatality Rates per 100,000 Population, 

Age Less than One Year Old, by Year

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000 and Census Bureau

Chart 19: Passenger Vehicle Occupant Fatality Rates per 100,000 Population,

Age 1 - 3 Years Old, by Year

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000 and Census Bureau

0

1

2

3

4

5

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Year

Fatality Rate per 100,000 Population

0.5

1.5

2.5

3.5

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Year

Fatality Rate per 100,000 Population
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 32

Chart 20: Passenger Vehicle Occupant Fatality Rates per 100,000 Population,

Age 4 - 8 Years Old, by Year

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000 and Census Bureau

6.2 Passenger Vehicle Occupant Fatality Rates per 100 Billion Vehicle Miles Traveled, 

by Age

Section 6.2 shows one table and four charts of passenger vehicle occupant fatality rates 

per vehicle miles traveled (VMT). The rates are categorized into four age groups during 

the period from 1991 through 2000. The age categories are 0-8, <1, 1-3, and 4-8 years 

old.

The VMT used in the calculations is an estimate of the annual number of miles traveled 

by passenger vehicles during the years 1991 through 2000. As these estimates show a 

rise in VMT of approximately 25 percent from 1991 to 2000, a decline is seen among 

fatality rates that were not seen previously in table and charts displaying numbers of 

fatalities.

Given that these figures are estimates of the number of miles traveled by passengers of all 

ages, they are not equal to the number of miles traveled by children age 0 through 8. It is 

assumed, however, that the two separate VMT totals for these two age categories are 

strongly correlated, given the diverse age distribution of the drivers and passengers of the 

involved vehicles.

It must be noted that the data within Section 6.2 do not allow for the fatality rates per 

VMT of the four different sized age categories to be compared, given the VMT us ed to 

0.5

1.5

2.5

3.5

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Year

Fatality Rate per 100,000 Population
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 33

calculate each of these rates represent the entire US population. While the temporal rate 

ratios within each age category provide valuable information, a comparison of fatality 

rates between the four age categories of differing width is not possible.

Table 13 shows the rates of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities, per 100 billion VMT. 

Upon comparing the ratios of 2000 versus 1991 fatality rates per VMT with the ratios of 

2000 to 1991 fatality numbers, it is seen that these fatality rate ratios are significantly 

lower than the corresponding fatality number ratios, for each age category. Among

children 0 through 8 years old, the fatality rate per VMT dropped 23 percent over this 

time period (45.98 per 100 billion VMT to 35.43). This significant decline is far greater 

than the 3 percent decline from 1991 to 2000 in the number of fatalities (923 to 895). 

This difference is due to the large increase in VMT during the 1990’s.

From 1991 to 2000, fatality rates per VMT dropped 27 percent among children less than 

one year old (7.12 per 100 billion VMT to 5.19), 28 percent among children 1 through 3 

years old (16.94 to 12.27), and 18 percent among children 4 through 8 years old (21.92 to 

17.97). These improvements in fatality rates suggest that restraint use is saving many 

lives.

Table 13

Passenger Vehicle Occupant Fatality Rates per 100 Billion VMT,

by Year and Age Group

Age Group

Year

Less than

1 Year Old

1 – 3

Years Old

4 – 8 

Years Old

0 – 8

Years Old

1991 7.12 16.94 21.92 45.98

1992 6.11 16.79 21.31 44.22

1993 7.17 17.02 20.51 44.71

1994 7.37 17.55 22.43 47.36

1995 6.87 15.57 21.68 44.11

1996 7.79 15.18 21.21 44.17

1997 5.65 13.98 21.46 41.09

1998 5.71 12.61 21.18 39.50

1999 5.75 12.59 20.20 38.54

2000 5.19 12.27 17.97 35.43

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000, and FHWA
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 34

Chart 21: Passenger Vehicle Occupant Fatality Rates per 100 Billion VMT,

Age 0 - 8 Years Old, by Year 

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000, and FHWA

Chart 22: Passenger Vehicle Occupant Fatality Rates per 100 Billion VMT,

Age Less than One Year Old, by Year

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000, and FHWA

0

10

20

30

40

50

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Year

Fatality Rate per 100 Billion VMT

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Year

Fatality Rate per 100 Billion VMT
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 35

Chart 23: Passenger Vehicle Fatality Rates per 100 Billion VMT,

Age 1 - 3 Years Old, by Year

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000, and FHWA

Chart 24: Passenger Vehicle Occupant Fatality Rates per 100 Billion VMT,

Age 4 - 8 Years Old, by Year

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000, and FHWA

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Year

Fatality Rate per 100 Billion VMT

0

5

10

15

20

25

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Year

Fatality Rate per 100 Billion VMT
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 36

7. PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANTS KILLED, BY RESTRAINT USE,

SEATING POSITION, AND AGE

This chapter discusses passenger vehicle occupant fatalities, broken down by restraint 

use, seating position, and age, from 1991 through 2000. The age categories include 0-8, 

<1, 1-3, and 4-8. The seating positions are subdivided into front passenger seat (front 

middle and front right) and second seat (second seat left, second seat middle, second seat 

right).

7.1 Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, by Year, Restraint Use and Seating Position, 

Age 0 - 8

The number of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities for children in the 0 through 8 year 

old age range, categorized by restraint use and seating position, is shown in Table 14. 

While the number of fatalities in the front passenger seat declined from 392 in 1991 to 

239 in 2000, a drop of 39 percent, the number of fatalities in the second seat rose from 

416 in 1991 to 538 in 2000, an increase of 29 percent.

A steep decline in front seat fatalities occurred from 411 in 1995 to 239 in 2000, a 

decrease of 42 percent. The decline was greatly attributable to the 1996 traffic safety 

campaigns, which advocated the movement of children from the front seat to the second 

seat. Following these campaigns, the number of fatalities in the front seat where the 

passenger was unrestrained declined from 220 in 1995 to 112 in 2000, a decrease of 42 

percent. During this same time period, the number of fatalities in the second seat where 

the passenger was unrestrained decreased by 15 percent. By 2000, 47 percent of front 

seat fatalities involved passengers who were unrestrained, as compared to 33 percent 

within the second seat.

Another significant change, which coincided with the 1996 campaigns, was the shift in 

child safety seat usage from the front seat to the second seat. Fatalities in the front seat, 

where a child safety seat restrained the passenger, declined from 62 in 1995 to 42 in 

2000, a reduction of 32 percent. The number of fatally injured passengers in the second 

seat, restrained by a child safety seat, climbed from 133 in 1995 to 213 in 2000, an 

increase of 60 percent. Similar trends in the second seat were also seen in the use of lap 

and/or shoulder belts, though the increase was slightly less (56 percent) as compared to 

child safety seats.
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 37

Chart 25: Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 0 - 8 Years Old,

by Year, Seating Position, and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

Table 14

Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 0 - 8 Years Old,

by Year, Seating Position, and Restraint Use

Seating Position

Front Passenger Seat Second Seat

Restraint Use Restraint Use

Year

Child 

Safety 

Seat

Lap 

and/or 

Shoulder 

Belt

None 

Used

Other/

Unknown Total

Child 

Safety 

Seat

Lap 

and/or 

Shoulder 

Belt

None 

Used

Other/

Unknown Total

1991 52 52 241 47 392 81 48 234 53 416

1992 65 64 219 31 379 89 56 233 46 424

1993 54 77 221 44 396 98 65 248 44 455

1994 72 90 201 34 397 111 94 239 49 493

1995 62 96 220 33 411 133 71 207 41 452

1996 79 109 193 34 415 135 89 208 56 488

1997 54 87 162 40 343 149 108 202 39 498

1998 48 88 154 22 312 151 134 191 41 517

1999 36 75 151 26 288 190 100 209 46 545

2000 42 72 112 13 239 213 111 176 38 538

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

19911992199319941995199619971998199920001991199219931994199519961997199819992000

Front Passenger Seat Second Seat

 Year

Number of Fatalities

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 38

7.2 Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, by Year, Restraint Use and Seating Position, 

Age < 1

The number of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities for children less than one year old, 

categorized by restraint use and seating position, is shown in Table 15. The number of 

fatalities in the front passenger seat dropped from 70 in 1991 to 34 in 2000, a decrease of 

51 percent. The number of fatalities in the second seat rose from 52 in 1991 to 88 in 

2000, an increase of 69 percent. The percent of fatalities occurring in the front seat 

dropped from 57 percent in 1991 to 28 percent in 2000. The general trend in the front 

seat was an increase in fatalities between 1991 and 1996, followed by a large drop seen 

from 1997 through 2000. However, the trend in the number of fatalities in the second 

seat has been a steady increase from 1991 through 2000.

A steep decline in front seat fatalities occurred from 76 in 1995 to 34 in 2000, a decrease 

of 55 percent. The decline was attributable to the 1996 traffic safety campaigns, which 

advocated the movement of children from the front seat to the second seat. Following 

these campaigns, the number of fatalities in the front seat where the passenger was 

unrestrained declined from 41 in 1995 to 15 in 2000, a decrease of 63 percent. Despite 

this improvement, children who were unrestrained accounted for 44 percent of fatalities 

in the front passenger seat, as compared with only 17 percent in the second seat

As child safety seat usage shifted from the front seat to the second seat, the number of 

front seat fatalities where the child was restrained by a child safety seat dropped from 46 

in 1996 to 17 in 2000, while fatalities in the second seat rose from 44 in 1996 to 69 in 

2000.

Chart 26: Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age Less than One Year Old,

by Seating Position, Year, and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

0

20

40

60

80

100

19911992199319941995199619971998199920001991199219931994199519961997199819992000

Front Passenger Seat Second Seat

Year

Number of Fatalities

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 39

Table 15

Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age Less than One Year Old,

by Year, Seating Position, and Restraint Use

Seating Position

Front Passenger Seat Second Seat

Restraint Use Restraint Use

Year

Child 

Safety 

Seat

Lap 

and/or 

Shoulder 

Belt

None 

Used

Other/

Unknown Total

Child 

Safety 

Seat

Lap 

and/or 

Shoulder 

Belt

None 

Used

Other/

Unknown Total

1991 17 2 48 3 70 26 1 18 7 52

1992 29 1 39 2 71 23 0 24 3 50

1993 24 5 49 6 84 31 0 25 1 57

1994 34 4 35 6 79 34 0 27 4 65

1995 28 1 41 6 76 36 1 25 1 63

1996 46 5 28 7 86 44 3 20 8 75

1997 23 1 20 3 47 55 0 19 3 77

1998 20 2 23 4 49 53 2 18 3 76

1999 22 3 21 4 50 57 2 16 3 78

2000 17 1 15 1 34 69 1 15 3 88

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 40

7.3 Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, by Year, Restraint Use and Seating Position, 

Age 1 – 3

Table 16 shows the number of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities, for children in the 1 

through 3 year old age range, categorized by restraint use and seating position. The 

number of fatalities in the front passenger seat declined from 149 in 1991 to 78 in 2000, a 

decrease of 48 percent, while the number of overall fatalities in the second seat increased 

from 155 in 1991 to 197 in 2000, an increase of 27 percent. This shift in fatalities from 

the front passenger seat to the second seat was similar to the shift seen among children 

less than one year old. The percent of fatalities among children age 1 through 3 years old 

occurring in the front passenger seat dropped from 49 percent in 1991 to 28 percent in 

2000.

The strongest shift in fatalities from the front passenger seat to the second seat occurred 

from 1996 to 2000. The number of front passenger seat fatalities dropped from 140 in 

1996 to 78 in 2000, a decrease of 44 percent. This reduction was attributable to the 1996 

traffic safety campaigns, which advocated the movement of children from the front seat 

to the second seat. During this same time period, the number of second seat fatalities 

rose from 171 to 197, an increase of 15 percent.

Another change that coincided with the 1996 campaigns was the shift in child safety seat 

usage from the front passenger seat to the second seat. Fatalities in the front passenger 

seat where the passenger was restrained by a child safety seat declined 21 percent from 

1996 to 2000. During this same time period, fatalities in the second seat where the 

passenger was restrained by a child safety seat increased 59 percent.

This shift in restraint use from the front passenger seat to the second seat is also seen 

through examining the location of fatalities among children who are unrestrained. In 

2000, 55 percent of front passenger seat fatalities involved children who were

unrestrained, as compared with only 24 percent in the second seat.
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 41

Chart 27: Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 1 - 3 Years Old,

by Seating Position, Year, and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

0

50

100

150

200

19911992199319941995199619971998199920001991199219931994199519961997199819992000

Front Passenger Seat Second Seat

Year

Number of Fatalities

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 42

Table 16

Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 1 - 3 Years Old,

by Year, Seating Position and Restraint Use

Seating Position

Front Passenger Seat Second Seat

Restraint Use Restraint Use

Year

Child

Safety

Seat

Lap and/or

Shoulder

Belt

None 

Used

Other/

Unknown Total

Child

Safety

Seat

Lap and/or

Shoulder

Belt

None 

Used

Other/

Unknown Total

1991 34 11 89 15 149 52 7 83 13 155

1992 33 13 94 11 151 59 12 69 19 159

1993 30 16 89 15 150 65 15 84 19 183

1994 37 28 74 7 146 69 28 83 11 191

1995 29 23 55 3 110 89 22 69 12 192

1996 29 25 69 17 140 80 18 61 12 171

1997 29 18 55 8 110 83 16 69 13 181

1998 25 19 46 3 93 93 27 51 8 179

1999 14 8 51 6 79 120 13 54 11 198

2000 23 11 43 1 78 127 16 47 7 197

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 43

7.4 Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, by Year, Restraint Use and Seating Position, 

Age 4 – 8

Table 17 shows the number of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities, for children in the 4 

through 8 year old age range, categorized by restraint use and seating position. Among 

children 4 through 8 years old, the number of fatalities in the front passenger seat 

declined from 173 in 1991 to 127 in 2000, a decrease of 27 percent. In comparison the 

number of overall fatalities in the second seat climbed from 209 in 1991 to 253 in 2000, 

an increase of 21 percent.

A shift that coincided with the 1996 traffic safety campaigns was the shift in lap and/or 

shoulder belt usage from the front seat to the second seat. Fatalities in the front seat 

where the passenger was restrained by a lap and/or shoulder belt dropped from 72 in 

1995 to 60 in 2000, a decline of 17 percent, while fatalities in the second seat where 

passengers were restrained by a lap and/or shoulder belt rose from 48 in 1995 to 94 in 

2000, a large increase of 96 percent.

A comparison of the three age groups (<1, 1-3, and 4-8) shows that the shift of restraint 

use from the front seat to the second seat was more significant among children 0 through 

3 years old than children 4 through 8 years old. This lack of restraint use in the second 

seat among 4 through 8 year olds led to a large number of fatalities involving children 

who were unrestrained. Within the second seat in 2000, 45 percent of fatalities among 

children 4 through 8 years old occurred when the child was unrestrained, as compared to 

24 percent of 1 through 3 year olds and only 17 percent of children less than one year old.

Chart 28: Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 4 - 8 Years Old,

by Seating Position, Year, and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

19911992199319941995199619971998199920001991199219931994199519961997199819992000

Front Passenger Seat Second Seat

Year

Number of Fatalities

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 44

Table 17

Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 4 - 8 Years Old,

by Year, Seating Position, and Restraint Use

Seating Position

Front Passenger Seat Second Seat

Restraint Use Restraint Use

Year

Child

Safety

Seat

Lap and/or

Shoulder

Belt

None 

Used

Other/

Unknown Total

Child

Safety

Seat

Lap and/or

Shoulder

Belt

None 

Used

Other/

Unknown Total

1991 1 39 104 29 173 3 40 133 33 209

1992 3 50 86 18 157 7 44 140 24 215

1993 0 56 83 23 162 2 50 139 24 215

1994 1 58 92 21 172 8 66 129 34 237

1995 5 72 124 24 225 8 48 113 28 197

1996 4 79 96 10 189 11 68 127 36 242

1997 2 68 87 29 186 11 92 114 23 240

1998 3 67 85 15 170 5 105 122 30 262

1999 0 64 79 16 159 13 85 139 32 269

2000 2 60 54 11 127 17 94 114 28 253

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 45

8. PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANTS KILLED, BY RESTRAINT USE,

PRINCIPAL IMPACT POINT, SEATING POSITION, AND AGE

Chapter 8 shows the analysis of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities aggregated from 

1991 through 2000 based on the following:

• Restraint use – child safety seat, lap and/or shoulder belt, unrestrained (none used) 

and other/unknown

• Seating position – front seat (excluding driver’s seat) and second seat

• Age groups – less than one year old, one through three years old, and four through 

eight years old

• Principal Impact point – front impact, rear impact, near side impact, and far side 

impact.

• Chapter 8 is limited to planar crashes. Crashes where the principal impact point 

occurred on the top or undercarriage of the vehicle were excluded within this 

section.

The FARS data from 1991 through 2000 that comprise this chapter are aggregated in 

order to provide the most accurate presentation of the aforementioned variables. This 

aggregation is necessary given the categorization, stratification, and sample size of the 

data throughout this time period.

8.1 Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, by Restraint Use, Seating Position, Front/Rear 

Impact and Age

This section provides analysis relating to front impacts and rear impacts, as defined in 

Section 3.2.1. Sections 8.1.1 – 8.1.3 apply to occupants in the front seat. Sections 8.1.4 

– 8.1.6 apply to occupants in the second seat.

8.1.1 Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, by Restraint Use, Front/Rear Impact, Front 

Seat, Age <1

Table 18 shows the number of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities, for children 

less than one year old, categorized by restraint use, impact point, and seating 

position, aggregated over ten years. Within the front seat, the number of front 

impact fatalities was 12.7 times greater than the number of rear impact fatalities. 

In the front middle seat, 67 front impact fatalities and 8 rear impact fatalities 

occurred from 1991 through 2000. In the front right seat, 300 front impact 

fatalities and 21 rear impact fatalities occurred from 1991 through 2000. Upon 

combining the front middle seat and front right seat, 53 percent of all front impact 

fatalities involved children who were unrestrained. Front impacts accounted for 

94 percent of the fatally injured occupants in the front right seat in child safety 

seats. Overall front impact accounted for 93 percent of all fatally injured

occupants in the front seat.
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 46

Chart 29: Front Seating Position Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age Less than One 

Year Old, by Longitudinal Impact Point and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

Table 18

Front Seating Position Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age Less than One 

Year Old, by Restraint Use and Longitudinal Impact Point

Seating Position

Front Seat Middle Front Seat Right

Impact Point Impact Point

Restraint Use Front Impact Rear Impact Front Impact Rear Impact Total

Child Safety Seat 21 3 118 7 149

Lap and/or 

Shoulder Belt 1 0 15 2 18

None Used 40 5 153 11 209

Other/Unknown 5 0 14 1 20

Total 67 8 300 21 396

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Front Impact Rear Impact Front Impact Rear Impact

Front Seat Middle Front Seat Right

Number of Fatalities

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 47

8.1.2 Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, by Restraint Use, Front/Rear Impact, Front 

Seat, Age 1 – 3

The number of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities, for children 1 through 3 

years old, categorized by restraint use, impact point, and seating position is shown 

in Table 19, aggregated over a ten year period. Similar to front seat occupants of 

age less than one year old, the number of front impact fatalities was 12.3 times 

greater than the number of rear impact fatalities. In the front middle seat, 124 

front impact fatalities and 14 rear impact fatalities occurred from 1991 through 

2000. In the front right seat, 480 front impact fatalities and 35 rear impact 

fatalities occurred during this time period. 

Upon combining the front middle seat and front right seat, 51 percent of all front 

impact fatalities involved children who were unrestrained, a percentage nearly 

equal to that of children less than one year old. Among children 1 through 3 years 

old, 61 percent of front middle seat fatalities involved children who were

unrestrained, while only 50 percent of front right seat fatalities involved children 

who were unrestrained. This variation suggests that children age 1 through 3 

years old are more likely to be unrestrained if they travel in the front middle seat.

Chart 30: Front Seating Position Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 1 - 3 Years 

Old, by Longitudinal Impact Point and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Front Impact Rear Impact Front Impact Rear Impact

Front Seat Middle Front Seat Right

Number of Fatalities

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 48

Table 19

Front Seating Position Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 1 - 3 Years Old, 

by Restraint Use and Longitudinal Impact Point

Seating Position

Front Seat Middle Front Seat Right

Impact Point Impact Point

Restraint Use Front Impact Rear Impact Front Impact Rear Impact Total

Child Safety Seat 19 2 128 7 156

Lap and/or 

Shoulder Belt 11 0 80 6 97

None Used 79 11 235 22 347

Other/Unknown 15 1 37 0 53

Total 124 14 480 35 653

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 49

8.1.3 Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, by Restraint Use, Front/Rear Impact, Front 

Seat, Age 4 - 8

The number of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities, for children 4 through 8 

years old, categorized by restraint use, impact point, and seating position,

aggregated from 1991 through 2000, is shown in Table 20. Within the front seat, 

the number of front impact fatalities was 15.9 times greater than the number of 

rear impact fatalities, a ratio 27 percent larger than among children less than four 

years old. In the front middle seat, 119 front impact fatalities and 11 rear impact 

fatalities occurred from 1991 through 2000. In the front right seat, 722 front 

impact fatalities and 42 rear impact fatalities occurred from 1991 through 2000. 

In the front middle seat, 68 percent of all longitudinal impacts involved fatally 

injured children who were unrestrained, as compared with 48 percent in the front 

right seat. Overall 51 percent of all fatally injured occupants in the front seat 

(middle and right) were unrestrained.

Chart 31: Front Seating Position Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 4 - 8 Years 

Old, by Longitudinal Impact Point and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

Front Impact Rear Impact Front Impact Rear Impact

Front Seat Middle Front Seat Right

Number of Fatalities

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 50

Table 20

Front Seating Position Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 4 - 8 Years Old, 

by Restraint Use and Longitudinal Impact Point

Seating Position

Front Seat Middle Front Seat Right

Impact Point Impact Point

Restraint Use Front Impact Rear Impact Front Impact Rear Impact Total

Child Safety 

Seat 0 0 9 1 10

Lap and/or 

Shoulder Belt 26 0 278 22 326

None Used 79 10 350 16 455

Other/Unknown 14 1 85 3 103

Total 119 11 722 42 894

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 51

8.1.4 Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, by Restraint Use, Front/Rear Impact,

Second Seat, Age <1

Table 21 shows the number of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities in the second 

seat, for children less than one year old, categorized by restraint use, impact point, 

and seating position. Within the second seat, the number of front impact fatalities 

(77 percent) was far greater than the number of rear impact fatalities (23 percent). 

While a similar trend occurred among children sitting in the front seat, the ratio of 

front impact fatalities to rear impact fatalities for children less than one year old 

was 12.7 in the front seat as compared to 3.4 in the second seat.

Among children seated in the left side of the second seat, 103 front impact 

fatalities and 34 rear impact fatalities occurred from 1991 through 2000. 

Throughout this same time period, there were 56 front impact fatalities and 14 

rear impact fatalities within the second middle seat, and 96 front impact fatalities 

and 27 rear impact fatalities for children seated in the right side of the second seat. 

Upon combining all seating positions within the second seat, only 31 percent of 

all front impact fatalities within the second seat involved children who were 

unrestrained, as compared to 53 percent of children within the front seat who were 

less than one year old.

Chart 32: Second Seating Position Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age Less than 

One Year Old, by Longitudinal Impact Point and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Front Impact

Rear Impact

Front Impact

Rear Impact

Front Impact

Rear Impact

Second Seat Left Second Seat Middle Second Seat Right

Number of Fatalities

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 52

Table 21

Second Seating Position Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age Less than One 

Year Old, by Restraint Use and Longitudinal Impact Point

Seating Position

Second Left Second Middle Second Right

Impact Point Impact Point Impact Point

Restraint Use

Front 

Impact

Rear 

Impact

Front 

Impact

Rear 

Impact

Front 

Impact

Rear 

Impact Total

Child Safety 

Seat 64 24 33 9 65 17 212

Lap and/or

Shoulder Belt 5 0 0 0 0 0 5

None Used 32 10 18 4 28 8 100

Other/Unknown 2 0 5 1 3 2 13

Total 103 34 56 14 96 27 330

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 53

8.1.5 Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, by Restraint Use, Front/Rear Impact,

Second Seat, Age 1 – 3

Table 22 shows the number of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities in the second 

seat, for children 1 through 3 years old, categorized by restraint use, impact point, 

and seating position, aggregated over a ten-year period. Within the second seat, 

the number of front impact fatalities (637) was far greater than the number of rear 

impact fatalities (206). The ratio of front impact fatalities to rear impact fatalities 

for children 1 through 3 years old was 12.3 in the front seat, compared to 3.1 in 

the second seat, similar to the pattern seen among children less than one year old.

Among children seated in the left side of the second seat, 245 front impact 

fatalities and 75 rear impact fatalities occurred from 1991 through 2000. During 

this same time period, there were 157 front impact fatalities and 47 rear impact 

fatalities within the second middle seat, and 235 front impact fatalities and 84 rear 

impact fatalities for children seated in the right side of the second seat.

Among children 1 through 3 years old, only 35 percent of all front impact 

fatalities within the second seat involved children who were unrestrained, as 

compared to 51 percent within the front seat. These percentages are almost equal 

to those seen among children less than one year old.

Chart 33: Second Seating Position Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 1 - 3 Years 

Old, by Longitudinal Impact Point and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Front Impact

Rear Impact

Front Impact

Rear Impact

Front Impact

Rear Impact

Second Seat Left Second Seat Middle Second Seat Right

Number of Fatalities

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 54

Table 22

Second Seating Position Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 1 - 3 Years Old, 

by Restraint Use and Longitudinal Impact Point

Seating Position

Second Left Second Middle Second Right

Impact Point Impact Point Impact Point

Restraint Use

Front 

Impact

Rear 

Impact

Front 

Impact

Rear 

Impact

Front 

Impact

Rear 

Impact Total

Child Safety 

Seat 129 51 59 18 110 57 424

Lap and/or 

Shoulder Belt 30 1 12 5 32 6 86

None Used 71 17 75 19 80 16 278

Other/Unknown 15 6 11 5 13 5 55

Total 245 75 157 47 235 84 843

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 55

8.1.6 Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, by Restraint Use, Front/Rear Impact,

Second Seat, Age 4 - 8

The number of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities in the second seat, for

children 4 through 8 years old, categorized by restraint use, impact point, and 

seating position, aggregated from 1991 through 2000, is shown in Table 23. 

Within the second seat, the overall number of front impact fatalities was far 

greater than the overall number of rear impact fatalities. While a similar trend 

occurred among children sitting in the front seat, the ratio of front impact fatalities 

to rear impact fatalities for children 4 through 8 years old was 15.9 in the front 

seat, as compared to 3.3 in the second seat.

Among children seated in the left side of the second seat, 358 front impact 

fatalities and 92 rear impact fatalities occurred from 1991 through 2000. 

Throughout this same time period, there were 193 front impact fatalities and 64 

rear impact fatalities within the second middle seat, and 281 front impact fatalities 

and 94 rear impact fatalities for children seated in the right side of the second seat. 

Among children 4 through 8 years old, 55 percent of all front impact fatalities 

within the second seat involved children who were unrestrained, compared with 

34 percent of children less than 4 years old.

Chart 34: Second Seating Position Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 4 - 8 Years 

Old, by Longitudinal Impact Point and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Front Impact

Rear Impact

Front Impact

Rear Impact

Front Impact

Rear Impact

Second Seat Left Second Seat Middle Second Seat Right

Number of Fatalities

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 56

Table 23

Second Seating Position Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 4 - 8 Years Old, 

by Restraint Use and Longitudinal Impact Point

Seating Position

Second Left Second Middle Second Right

Impact Point Impact Point Impact Point

Restraint Use

Front 

Impact

Rear 

Impact

Front 

Impact

Rear 

Impact

Front 

Impact

Rear 

Impact Total

Child Safety 

Seat 14 8 5 3 9 7 46

Lap and/or

Shoulder Belt 119 36 43 14 92 36 340

None Used 186 38 123 40 148 39 574

Other/Unknown 39 10 22 7 32 12 122

Total 358 92 193 64 281 94 1,082

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 57

8.2 Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, by Restraint Use, Seating Position Relative to 

Side Impact

This section refers to side impact fatalities occurring in the front and second seats. 

Seating position is broken down into three mutually exclusive categories. For occupants 

sitting on the side of the vehicle closest to the side impact, their seating position is 

defined as near side. For occupants sitting on the side of the vehicle furthest from the 

side impact, their seating position is defined as far side. Occupants seated in the middle 

seat comprise the third seating position category.

8.2.1 Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, by Restraint Use, Seating Position Relative 

to Side Impact, Front Seat, Age <1

Table 24 shows the number of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities, for children 

less than one year old, categorized by restraint use, impact point, and seating 

position. Within the front seat, 99 side impact fatalities were near sided, equaling 

64 percent of all front seat side impact fatalities, while 30 were far sided (19 

percent) and 25 occurred in the middle seat (16 percent). Fifty four percent of 

side impact fatalities involved children restrained in a child safety seat. Children 

who were unrestrained accounted for 48 percent of fatalities occurring in the 

middle seat, versus 33 percent of fatalities in the near or far side.

Chart 35: Front Seating Position Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age Less than One 

Year Old, by Side Impact Relative to Seating Position and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Near Side Middle Far Side

Seating Position with Regard to Impact Point

Number of Fatalities

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 58

Table 24

Front Seating Position Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age Less than One 

Year Old, by Restraint Use and Seating Position Relative to Side Impact Point

Seating Position Relative to Impact Point

Restraint Use Near Side Middle Far Side Total

Child Safety Seat 55 10 18 83

Lap and/or 

Shoulder Belt 4 1 1 6

None Used 33 12 10 55

Other/Unknown 7 2 1 10

Total 99 25 30 154

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 59

8.2.2 Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, by Restraint Use, Seating Position Relative 

to Side Impact, Front Seat, Age 1 – 3

The number of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities in the front seat, for children 

1 through 3 years old, categorized by restraint use, impact point, and seating 

position is shown in Table 25. Within the front seat, 209 side impact fatalities 

were near sided, equaling 64 percent of all front seat side impact fatalities, while 

47 were far sided (14 percent) and 72 occurred in the middle seat (22 percent).

Among children 1 through 3 years old in the front seat, near side impacts 

accounted for 79 percent of side impact fatalities involving children in child 

safety seats or lap/and or shoulder belts. Comparatively, only 49 percent of

fatalities involving children who were unrestrained were due to near side impacts, 

suggesting that restraint use is most effective among children not seated at the 

point of impact of the crash. Children who were unrestrained accounted for 76 

percent of fatalities occurring in the middle seat, versus 57 percent of fatalities in 

the far side and 38 percent in the near side.

Chart 36: Front Seating Position Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 1 - 3 Years 

Old, by Side Impact Relative to Seating Position and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

0

50

100

150

200

250

Near Side Middle Far Side

Seating Position with Regard to Impact Point

Number of Fatalities

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 60

Table 25

Front Seating Position Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 1 - 3 Years Old,

 by Restraint Use and Seating Position Relative to Side Impact Point

Seating Position Relative to Impact Point

Restraint Use Near Side Middle Far Side Total

Child Safety Seat 69 10 9 88

Lap and/or 

Shoulder Belt 46 3 8 57

None Used 80 55 27 162

Other/Unknown 14 4 3 21

Total 209 72 47 328

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 61

8.2.3 Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, by Restraint Use, Seating Position Relative 

to Side Impact, Front Seat, Age 4 – 8

Table 26 shows the number of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities, for children 4 

through 8 years old, categorized by restraint use, impact point, and seating

position. Within the front seat, 415 side impact fatalities were near sided,

equaling 70 percent of all front seat side impact fatalities. Of the front seat side 

impact fatalities, 117 were far sided (20 percent) and 61 occurred in the middle 

seat (10 percent).

Eighty percent of children 4 through 8 years old killed in side impact crashes 

while riding in the front middle seat were unrestrained. Similarly, for the 1

through 3 year olds, 76 percent of these children were unrestrained. Children 

restrained in lap and/or shoulder belts accounted for 40 percent of front seat side 

impact fatalities among 4 through 8 year olds, compared to 35 percent of all front 

seat passenger vehicle fatalities among 4 through 8 years olds from 1991 through 

2000.

Chart 37: Front Seating Position Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 4 - 8 Years 

Old, by Side Impact Relative to Seating Position and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

0

100

200

300

400

500

Near Side Middle Far Side

Seating Position with Regard to Impact Point

Number of Fatalities

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 62

Table 26

Front Seating Position Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 4 - 8 Years Old, 

by Restraint Use and Seating Position Relative to Side Impact Point

Seating Position Relative to Impact Point

Restraint Use Near Side Middle Far Side Total

Child Safety Seat 5 0 2 7

Lap and/or 

Shoulder Belt 182 8 45 235

None Used 162 49 60 271

Other/Unknown 66 4 10 80

Total 415 61 117 593

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 63

8.2.4 Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, by Restraint Use, Seating Position Relative 

to Side Impact, Second Seat, Age <1

Within the second seat, 123 side impact fatalities were near sided, equaling 56 

percent of all second seat side impact fatalities. Of the second seat side impact 

fatalities, 42 were far sided (19 percent) and 56 occurred in the middle seat (25 

percent). Table 27 shows the number of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities, for 

children less than one year old, categorized by restraint use, impact point, and 

seating position.

Among children less than one year old, 65 percent of second seat side impact 

fatalities were children restrained in a child safety seat. Children who were 

unrestrained accounted for 25 percent of side impact fatalities throughout the 

second seat, versus 36 percent of front seat side impact fatalities.

Chart 38: Second Seating Position Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age Less than 

One Year Old, by Side Impact Relative to Seating Position and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Near Side Middle Far Side

Seating Position with Regard to Impact Point

Number of Fatalities

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 64

Table 27

Second Seating Position Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age Less than One 

Year Old, by Restraint Use and Seating Position Relative to Side Impact Point

Seating Position Relative to Impact Point

Restraint Use Near Side Middle Far Side Total

Child Safety Seat 83 33 28 144

Lap and/or

Shoulder Belt 3 0 1 4

None Used 32 16 7 55

Other/Unknown 5 7 6 18

Total 123 56 42 221

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 65

8.2.5 Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, by Restraint Use, Seating Position Relative 

to Side Impact, Second Seat, Age 1 – 3

Table 28 shows the number of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities, for children 1 

through 3 years old, categorized by restraint use, impact point, and seating

position. Within the second seat, 358 side impact fatalities were near sided, 

equaling 56 percent of all second seat side impact fatalities, while 141 were far 

sided (22 percent) and 143 occurred in the middle seat (22 percent).

Among children 1 through 3 years old in the second seat, near side impacts 

accounted for 61 percent of side impact fatalities involving children in child 

safety seats or lap/and or shoulder belts. Comparatively, far side impacts

accounted for only 21 percent of side impact fatalities involving children who 

were restrained, suggesting that restraint use is most effective among children not 

seated at the point of impact of the crash. Children who were unrestrained 

accounted for 43 percent of fatalities occurring in the middle seat, versus 27 

percent in the near side and 33 percent of fatalities in the far side.

Chart 39: Second Seating Position Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 1 - 3 Years 

Old, by Side Impact Relative to Seating Position and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

0

100

200

300

400

Near Side Middle Far Side

Seating Position with Regard to Impact Point

Number of Fatalities

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 66

Table 28

Second Seating Position Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 1 - 3 Years Old, 

by Restraint Use and Seating Position Relative to Side Impact Point

Seating Position Relative to Impact Point

Restraint Use Near Side Middle Far Side Total

Child Safety Seat 206 58 69 333

Lap and/or

Shoulder Belt 36 13 14 63

None Used 97 62 47 206

Other/Unknown 19 10 11 40

Total 358 143 141 642

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 67

8.2.6 Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, by Restraint Use, Seating Position Relative 

to Side Impact, Second Seat, Age 4 – 8

The number of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities in the second seat aggregated 

over a ten-year period, for children 4 through 8 years old, categorized by restraint 

use, impact point, and seating position is shown in Table 29. Within the second 

seat, 492 side impact fatalities were near sided, equaling 60 percent of all second 

seat side impact fatalities, while 182 were far sided (22 percent) and 147 occurred 

in the middle seat (18 percent).

Sixty-three percent of 4 through 8 year olds killed in side impact crashes while 

riding in the second middle seat were unrestrained, compared to only 29 percent 

of children less than 1 year old and 43 percent of children 1 through 3 years old.

Among children 4 through 8 years old in the second seat, near side impacts 

accounted for 68 percent of side impact fatalities involving children in child 

safety seats or lap/and or shoulder belts. Comparatively, far side impacts

accounted for only 20 percent of side impact fatalities involving children who 

were restrained, suggesting that restraint use is most effective among children not 

seated at the point of impact of the crash.

Chart 40: Second Seating Position Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 4 - 8 Years 

Old, by Side Impact Relative to Seating Position and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Near Side Middle Far Side

Seating Position with Regard to Impact Point 

Number of Fatalities

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 68

Table 29

Second Seating Position Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 4 - 8 Years Old, 

by Restraint Use and Seating Position Relative to Side Impact Point

Seating Position Relative to Impact Point

Restraint Use Near Side Middle Far Side Total

Child Safety Seat 16 5 6 27

Lap and/or

Shoulder Belt 183 29 52 264

None Used 216 93 95 404

Other/Unknown 77 20 29 126

Total 492 147 182 821

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 69

8.2.7 Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, by Restraint Use, Seating Position Relative 

to Point of Side Impact, Second Seat, Age <1

Table 30 shows the number of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities, for children 

less than one year old, categorized by restraint use, impact point, and seating 

position. Within the second seat, 69 percent of children killed in near side crashes 

were seated on the right side, and 64 percent of children killed in far side crashes 

were seated on the left side.

After combining all side impact crashes where the passenger was seated in the 

near side or far side, it is seen that 68 percent of these crashes occurred when the 

vehicle was hit from the right side, while 32 percent of these crashes occurred 

when the vehicle was hit from the left side. This pattern suggests that drivers are 

more likely to place children less than one year old in a seating position that is 

convenient to their range of vision.

Chart 41: Second Seating Position Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age Less than 

One Year Old, by Lateral Impact Point Relative to Seating Position and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

0

20

40

60

80

100

Near Side Left Seat

Near Side Right Seat

Middle Seat

Far Side Left Seat

Far Side Right Seat

Seating Position with Regard to Impact Point

Number of Fatalities

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 70

Table 30

Second Seating Position Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age Less than One 

Year Old, by Restraint Use and Seating Position Relative to Lateral Impact Point

Seating Position Relative to Impact Point

Restraint Use

Near Side

Left Seat

Near Side

Right Seat Middle

Far Side

Left Seat

Far Side

Right Seat Total

Child Safety Seat 21 62 33 20 8 144

Lap and/or

Shoulder Belt 1 2 0 0 1 4

None Used 14 18 16 4 3 55

Other/Unknown 2 3 7 3 3 18

Total 38 85 56 27 15 221

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 71

8.2.8 Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, by Restraint Use, Seating Position Relative 

to Point of Side Impact, Second Seat, Age 1 – 3

The number of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities in the second seat aggregated 

from 1991 through 2000, for children 1 through 3 years old, categorized by

restraint use, impact point, and seating position is shown in Table 31. Within the 

second seat, 63 percent of children killed in near side crashes were seated on the 

right side, and 50 percent of children killed in far side fatalities were seated on the 

left side.

After combining all side impact crashes where the passenger was seated on the 

near side or far side, it is seen that 60 percent of these crashes occurred when the 

vehicle was hit from the right side, while 40 percent of these crashes occurred 

when the vehicle was hit from the left side. As with children less than one year 

old, this pattern suggests that drivers are more likely to place young children in a 

seating position that is convenient to their range of vision.

Chart 42: Second Seat Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 1 - 3 Years Old,

by Lateral Impact Point Relative to Seating Position and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

0

50

100

150

200

250

Near Side Left Seat

Near Side Right Seat

Middle Seat

Far Side Left Seat

Far Side Right Seat

Seating Position with Regard to Impact Point

Number of Fatalities

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 72

Table 31

Second Seat Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 1 - 3 Years Old, 

by Restraint Use and Seating Position Relative to Lateral Impact Point

Seating Position Relative to Impact Point

Restraint Use

Near Side

Left Seat

Near Side

Right Seat Middle

Far Side

Left Seat

Far Side

Right Seat Total

Child Safety Seat 74 132 58 29 40 333

Lap and/or

Shoulder Belt 16 20 13 8 6 63

None Used 34 63 62 28 19 206

Other/Unknown 9 10 10 6 5 40

Total 133 225 143 71 70 642

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 73

8.2.9 Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, by Restraint Use, Seating Position Relative 

to Point of Side Impact, Second Seat, Age 4 – 8

Table 32 shows the number of passenger vehicle occupant fatalities, for children 4 

through 8 years old, categorized by restraint use, impact point, and seating

position aggregated over a ten-year period. Within the second seat, 54 percent of 

children killed in near side crashes were seated on the right side, and 61 percent of 

children killed in far side crashes were seated on the left side.

After combining all side impact crashes where the passenger was seated in the 

near side or far side, it is seen that 56 percent of these crashes occurred when the 

vehicle was hit from the right side, while 44 percent of these crashes occurred 

when the vehicle was hit from the left side. These percentages show that in the 

second seat, the heterogeneity in seating position of children 4 through 8 years old 

is greater than among children less than 4 years old.

Chart 43: Second Seat Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 4 - 8 Years Old, 

by Lateral Impact Point Relative to Seating Position and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Near Side Left Seat

Near Side Right Seat

Middle Seat

Far Side Left Seat

Far Side Right Seat

Seating Position with Regard to Impact Point

Number of Fatalities

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 74

Table 32

Second Seat Passenger Vehicle Occupants Killed, Age 4 - 8 Years Old, 

by Restraint Use and Seating Position Relative to Lateral Impact Point 

Seating Position Relative to Impact Point

Restraint Use

Near Side

Left Seat

Near Side

Right Seat Middle

Far Side

Left Seat

Far Side

Right Seat Total

Child Safety Seat 10 6 5 5 1 27

Lap and/or

Shoulder Belt 81 102 29 35 17 264

None Used 103 113 93 57 38 404

Other/Unknown 34 43 20 14 15 126

Total 228 264 147 111 71 821

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, FARS 1991-2000
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 75

9. PASSENGER VEHICLE OCCUPANT INJURIES, BY RESTRAINT USE,

ABREVIATED INJURY SCALE AND INJURED BODY REGION

This chapter studies passenger vehicle occupant injuries, broken down by restraint use, 

injured body region, and Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS). This data set includes injuries 

sustained by children 0 through 8 years old from 1991–1996 and 1998-2000. The injured 

body regions include abdomen, chest, head, lower extremity, neck, and upper extremity. 

The AIS injury categories are defined as follows:

AIS 1 – Minor

AIS 2 – Moderate

AIS 3 – Serious

AIS 4 – Severe

AIS 5 – Critical

AIS 6 – Maximum (untreatable).

Due to the limited sample size of the CDS database, the injury data within this chapter 

was categorized using the age range of 0 through 8 years old. The standard errors for 

each of these estimates may be calculated using SUDAAN, a statistical package for 

analysis of correlated or clustered data. SUDAAN takes account of weights and intraclass 

correlations in estimating variances of the parameters.

9.1 Passenger Vehicle Occupant AIS 1 Injuries, by Restraint Use and Injured Body 

Region

Table 33 shows the estimated number of AIS 1 passenger vehicle occupant injuries, for 

children in the 0 through 8 year old age range, categorized by restraint use, and injured 

body region. Of all injuries reported for children 0 through 8 years old, 91 percent of 

these injuries were within the AIS 1 category, whereas 88 percent of injuries to occupants 

of all ages were AIS 1. This clarifies that an overwhelming percentage of injuries which 

occupants experience are minor injuries.

Among children 0 through 8 years old, approximately 740,000 head injuries of severity 

AIS 1 occurred, representing 58 percent of AIS 1 injuries. Comparatively, only 30 

percent of the injuries to occupants of all ages affected the head. While the unrestrained 

occupant was very vulnerable in both age ranges, the anatomical disadvantage of a 

disproportionately large head increases the child’s injury risk.

Only 33 percent of AIS 1 injuries to children occurred while the child was unrestrained, 

as compared with 42 percent of AIS 1 injuries sustained by occupants of all ages. These 

estimates suggest that restraint use often limits the severity of injuries.
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 76

Chart 44: Passenger Vehicle Occupant AIS 1 Injuries, Age 0 - 8 Years Old,

by Injured Body Region and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS CDS 1991-1996, 1998-2000

Table 33

Passenger Vehicle Occupant AIS 1 Injuries, Age 0 - 8 Years Old,

by Restraint Use and Injured Body Region

Injured Body Region

Restraint Use Abdomen Chest Head

Lower

Extremity Neck

Upper

Extremity Unknown Total

Child Safety 

Seat 6,860 24,732 137,569 19,244 29,044 39,359 6,954 263,763

Lap and/or

Shoulder Belt 38,986 20,125 317,454 67,726 29,165 65,257 9,497 548,209

None Used 8,106 23,335 259,345 62,346 17,081 40,497 6,483 417,193

Other/

Unknown 6,290 6,114 25,445 4,877 1,853 3,254 2,224 50,057

Total 60,242 74,307 739,813 154,192 77,143 148,367 25,157 1,279,222

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS CDS 1991-1996, 1998-2000

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

350,000

Abdomen

Chest

Head

Lower Extremity

Neck

Upper Extremity

Body Region

Number of Injuries

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 77

9.2 Passenger Vehicle Occupant AIS 2 Injuries, by Restraint Use and Injured Body 

Region

Table 34 shows the estimated number of AIS 2 passenger vehicle occupant injuries, for 

children in the 0 through 8 year old age range, categorized by restraint use and injured 

body region. Of all injuries reported for children 0 through 8 years old, 5 percent of these 

injuries were within the AIS 2 category, while AIS 2 injuries represented 8 percent of 

injuries to occupants of all ages. The significantly smaller number of AIS 2 injuries, as 

compared with AIS 1 injuries, is put more clearly into perspective when comparing the 

magnitude of the bars seen in Chart 45 versus Chart 44.

Children 0 through 8 years old experienced nearly 29,000 head injuries of severity AIS 2, 

representing 46 percent of all AIS 2 injuries. Forty-nine percent of AIS 2 injuries 

involved children who were unrestrained. As with AIS 1 injuries, restraint use among all 

ages was also very similar to that of the 0 through 8 year olds for AIS 2 injuries. For 

children 0 through 8 years old, as well as occupants of all ages, the head and extremities 

(lower and upper) were the regions most frequently sustaining a moderate injury,

accounting for approximately 80 percent of all AIS 2 injuries.

Chart 45: Passenger Vehicle Occupant AIS 2 Injuries, Age 0 - 8 Years Old,

by Injured Body Region and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS CDS 1991-1996, 1998-2000

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

16000

18000

Abdomen

Chest

Head

Lower Extremity

Neck

Upper Extremity

Body Region

Number of Injuries

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 78

Table 34

Passenger Vehicle Occupant AIS 2 Injuries, Age 0 - 8 Years Old,

by Restraint Use and Injured Body Region

Injured Body Region

Restraint Use Abdomen Chest Head

Lower

Extremity Neck

Upper

Extremity Total

Child Safety Seat 530 107 5,507 1,792 1,429 3,580 12,944

Lap and/or

Shoulder Belt 4,005 478 6,063 2,083 196 3,239 16,064

None Used 5,079 466 16,188 4,122 609 5,188 31,652

Other/Unknown 169 0 1,711 867 62 771 3,581

Total 9,783 1,050 29,469 8,864 2,296 12,779 64,241

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS CDS 1991-1996, 1998-2000
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 79

9.3 Passenger Vehicle Occupant AIS 3 - 6 Injuries, by Restraint Use and Injured Body 

Region

The estimated number of AIS 3 through AIS 6 passenger vehicle occupant injuries, for 

children in the 0 through 8 year old age range, categorized by restraint use and injured 

body region, is shown in Table 35. These four AIS categories combined represent the 

most severe injuries, from AIS 3 (serious) through AIS 6 (maximum). Of all injuries 

reported for children 0 through 8 years old, 4 percent of these injuries fell within AIS 3 

through AIS 6. Similarly, 4 percent of injuries to occupants of all ages were AIS 3 

through AIS 6.

Among children 0 through 8 years old, 52 percent of AIS 3 through AIS 6 injuries 

involved children who were unrestrained, as compared to 62 percent of occupants of all 

ages, suggesting that injuries of the highest severity are most likely to occur when the 

occupants are unrestrained.

A total of nearly 30,000 head injuries of severity AIS 3 through AIS 6 affected children 0 

through 8 years old. Similar to the previously mentioned injury severities, head injuries 

represented more than half of the AIS 3 through AIS 6 injuries for children 0 through 8 

years old. The chest was the second most frequently injured body region, accounting for 

20 percent of AIS 3 through AIS 6 injuries, while 10 percent of these injuries involved 

the abdomen.

While 84 percent of AIS 3 through AIS 6 injuries involving children 0 through 8 years 

old were located in the head (54 percent), chest (20 percent), or abdomen (10 percent), 

these three injured body regions accounted for only 67 percent of AIS 3 through AIS 6 

injuries among occupants of all ages. Many upper body structures, including chest and 

abdomen, are not fully formed in children, thereby increasing their vulnerability to severe 

upper body injuries.
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 80

Chart 46: Passenger Vehicle Occupant AIS 3 - 6 Injuries, Age 0 - 8 Years Old,

by Injured Body Region and Restraint Use

 Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS CDS 1991-1996, 1998-2000

Table 35

Passenger Vehicle Occupant AIS 3 - 6 Injuries, Age 0 - 8 Years Old,

by Restraint Use and Injured Body Region

Injured Body Region

Restraint Use Abdomen Chest Head

Lower

Extremity Neck

Upper

Extremity Unknown Total

Child Safety Seat 1,695 3,661 7,888 1,015 549 237 22 15,068

Lap and/or

Shoulder Belt 667 1,110 5,511 411 101 584 0 8,384

None Used 2,919 6,150 14,061 2,926 468 2,769 33 29,325

Other/Unknown 129 281 2,662 163 0 29 201 3,464

Total 5,410 11,202 30,121 4,515 1,118 3,619 256 56,241

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS CDS 1991-1996, 1998-2000

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

16,000

Abdomen

Chest

Head

Lower Extremity

Neck

Upper Extremity

Body Region

Number of Injuries

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 81

10. CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this report support a variety of conclusions about the safety of children in 

passenger vehicles. This report also demonstrates the efficacy of using different data 

sources relating to the different types of injuries. This report does not consider all

variables within the motor vehicle crash databases. Further studies need to be undertaken 

by examining other variables within FARS, GES and CDS databases that may provide 

additional information. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 

plans to conduct these analyses and report the findings.

10.1 Fatality Rate per Vehicle Miles Traveled 

The number of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by passenger vehicles has increased nearly 

25 percent from 1991 to 2000, while the number of passenger vehicle fatalities among 

children 0 through 8 years old has dropped slightly during this time period. When these 

two trends are examined together, it is shown that among age groups less than one, one 

through three, and four through eight, the fatality rate per vehicle miles traveled has 

dropped significantly, as the usage rates for child safety seats and lap and/or shoulder 

belts have increased.

10.2 Overall Fatalities

During the ten-year period from 1991 through 2000, the number of annual fatalities 

decreased 9 percent within the 0 through 3 year old age range. From 1996 through 2000, 

the number of fatalities among children less than one year old dropped from 178 to 131, a 

decline of 26 percent, while the number of 1 through 3 year old fatalities dropped 11 

percent from 347 to 310. These reductions in fatalities coincide with the 1996

implementation of the NHTSA Buckle Up America campaign and the National Safety 

Council’s Airbag and Seatbelt Safety campaign.

The trend in fatalities among children 4 through 8 years old differed from the trend seen 

among children 0 through 3 years old. Fatalities among 4 through 8 year olds rose from 

440 in 1991 to 512 in 1998, an increase of 16 percent. Following this increase, the 

number of fatalities among 4 through 8 year olds dropped significantly from 512 in 1998 

down to 454 in 2000, a reduction of 11 percent. The majority of this reduction occurred 

from 1999 to 2000, when fatalities dropped sha rply from 499 to 454.

10.3 Fatalities Involving Unrestrained Occupants

The number of fatalities where the child was unrestrained dropped significantly from 

1991 through 2000. When this reduction is combined with the increase seen in VMT, 

these trends together imply that increases in restraint use are saving many lives. Among 

children less than one year old, fatalities involving unrestrained passengers dropped from 

80 in 1991 to 36 in 2000, a reduction of 55 percent. During the year 2000, children 1 

through 3 years old traveling unrestrained experienced only 114 fatalities, as compared 

with 201 in 1991. This represents a 43 percent decrease over this time period.
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 82

The number of fatalities among 4 through 8 year old children who were unrestrained 

dropped from 283 in 1991 to 217 in 2000, a decrease of 23 percent. However, the 

majority of this reduction occurred from 1999 to 2000, where the number of fatalities 

dropped from 268 to 217, a sharp decline of 19 percent.

10.4 Fatalities by Seating Position

Concurrent with the goals of the 1996 NHTSA Buckle Up America campaign and the 

National Safety Council Airbag and Seatbelt Safety campaign involving child passenger 

safety, the seating position of many children 0 through 8 years old shifted from the front 

seat to the second seat. While the number of fatalities was evenly divided between the 

front and second seats in 1991, by 2000 the front seat accounted for 56 percent fewer 

fatalities than the second seat. The number of fatalities in the front seat remained 

relatively constant from 1991 through 1996, then dropped 42 percent by the year 2000, 

from 415 in 1996 to 239 in 2000.

As restraint use among children age 0 through 8 years old improved in the second seat, 

the percent of second seat fatalities involving unrestrained children dropped from 56 

percent in 1991 to 33 percent in 2000.

10.5 Fatalities by Longitudinal Principal Impact Point

Many more fatalities among children 0 through 8 years old were due to frontal impact 

crashes as opposed to rear impact crashes. In the front seat, a total of 1812, frontal 

impact fatalities and 131 rear impact fatalities occurred from 1991 through 2000, as 

frontal impacts accounted for 13.8 times as many fatalities as rear impacts. The ratio of 

frontal impact to rear impact fatalities was a much lower (3.2) in the second seat (1724 

frontal impact versus 531 rear impact), suggesting that during a frontal crash, the child is 

safer in the second seat. The lower fatality ratio seen in the second seat (3.2) versus the 

front seat (13.8) is based on the proximity of the child to the impact point. However, the 

lower average change in velocity seen within rear impact crashes accounts for the child 

generally being safer when located in the rear seat.

10.6 Fatalities by Lateral Principal Impact Point

Among side impact crashes, as expected, the number of side impact fatalities involving 

children seated adjacent to the struck side (near side crash) is 2.6 times greater than the 

number of side impact fatalities involving children seated opposite the struck side (far 

side crash). The prevalence of near side impacts, which induce fatalities, is consistent 

over the three age categories (<1, 1 – 3, and 4 – 8 years old). The confounding issue that 

arises among fatally injured near side crash occupants is the high proportion of restraint 

use within each of these age categories.

Understandably, the front middle seat yields a much higher unrestrained subgroup,

reaching 80 percent among the 4 through 8 year olds killed in side impacts. Occupants 

are more likely to be unrestrained in the front middle seat, owing to the absence or 
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 83

inaccessibility of the lap and/or shoulder belt. Prior to the mid-1990s, if lap and shoulder 

belt combinations were available in the rear seat, only the outboard (near and far side) 

positions were equipped with this restraint hardware. Children were thus placed in the 

outboard seating positions, which are more vulnerable in side impacts, or situated in the 

rear center seating position, where they were restricted to a lap belt only.

10.7 Injury Severity

Of the six medically assessed Abbreviated Injury Severity (AIS) levels ranging from 

minor (AIS 1) to maximum (AIS 6), 92 percent of all injuries occur within the injury 

category of least severity, minor. Although severe injuries are far less prevalent than 

minor injuries, the severity of injury increases as the incidence of restraint use decreases. 

For children 0 – 8 years old injured at an AIS 1 level, 33 percent were unrestrained, as 

compared with 52 percent of AIS 3 – 6 injuries. In general, the AIS 1 reporting is 

frequently limited to children with minor overall injury patterns. In situations where 

children sustain injuries of high severity, the reporting of corresponding lower severity 

injuries may be omitted. Injuries at the lower severities for the most exposed body 

regions tend to be most frequently reported.

10.8 Body Region Vulnerability

During childhood, the bodily structures are in a developmental stage. Head injuries 

account for 57 percent of all injuries. Owing to the disproportionate dimension of the 

head with relation to the body, injuries may be received and imparted (e.g. neck injuries). 

In this case, the head is shaken or bruised but may also cause strain to the neck. The 

loading on the neck may cause further injury.

The hierarchy of injured body regions changes as the severity of injuries increases. Head 

injuries account for 58 percent of AIS 1 injuries, 46 percent of AIS 2 injuries, and 54 

percent for AIS 3 through AIS 6 injuries. Beyond the consistently high frequency of

head injuries, the children begin to experience chest, extremity (upper and lower), and 

abdominal injuries more often at higher severities. As with the head, the upper body and 

pelvic regions are undergoing full formation. In the case of abdominal injuries, the iliac 

crests will not exist until the child is older, thereby leaving internal organs unprotected.
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 84

11. APPENDIX

Section 11.1 includes the information about the data sources used in this report. Section 

11.2 has tables and charts from numbers relating to NASS CDS data that were not used in 

the analysis.

11.1 Data Sources

11.1.1 Fatality Analysis Reporting System

The Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) dataset is a census of all crashes 

occurring on an open roadway resulting in a fatal injury, no more than 30 days 

from the date of the crash. The fatalities considered in this report account for 

crashes occurring in the 50 states and the District of Columbia, however, FARS 

also compiles crash data for Puerto Rico. Although operational since 1975, the 

crashes considered in this report span the years 1991 through 2000. The police 

accident report (PAR) becomes the basis for the FARS crash data. Generally, the 

PAR is prepared by the responding police officer and it outlines the participants in 

the crash, roadway geometry, legal violation, and some basic crash reconstruction, 

generally aided by a scene diagram.

FARS is divided into three files describing the fatal crashes. These files are the 

Accident File, Vehicle File, and Person File. The Accident File depicts the 

general crash environment and roadway geometry elements. The Vehicle File 

describes the vehicles by type, make, model, year, and other identifying

characteristics. The Person File details the occupants of the vehicle, regardless of 

fatal injury.

The elements considered for this report were queried from each of the three files. 

Once resolved by age, restraint use variables were queried as a baseline for impact 

location with regard to seating position.

11.1.2 National Automotive Sampling System

National Automotive Sampling System (NASS) case collection began in 1979. 

Based on nationally representative sampling units, PARs are collected from these 

sites for review and subsequent inclusion in the General Estimates System (GES) 

or Crashworthiness Data System (CDS) databases. GES concentrates on policereported crashes of greatest concern to the highway safety community and the 

general public. CDS is a representative sample of crashes occurring in the United 

States. By virtue of weighting factors, the CDS crashes may be projected into the 

population, thereby providing a yearly crash estimate for a given crash type/mode 

that will occur. The number of yearly crashes causing major concern in the safety 

community may be ascertained using the weighted number of cases in GES. 

These weighting factors either count the number of times a case should be 
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 85

projected into the population or can be multiplied by people, vehicle, or injury 

counts to obtain a sample population pertinent to the data element in question.

NASS – GES

GES provided basic injury data based on a nationally representative probability 

sample of police-reported crashes. For a case to become eligible for GES, it must 

have a completed PAR, the crash must involve at least one motor vehicle

traveling on a traffic way, and result in property damage, injury, or death. GES 

started sampling cases in 1988.

Data are reported in three files. These files are the Accident, Vehicle, and Person 

Files. The injury data are based on the injury severity scale with the categories 

including K (killed), A (incapacitating injury), B (non-incapacitating injury), C 

(possible injury), and O (no injury). GES yielded overall child occupant exposure 

for the study rather than specific injury classification owing to the subjective 

nature of the “KABCO” injury severity scale.

NASS - CDS

CDS yields a comprehensive description of the crash events based on the PAR. 

These cases are then investigated to obtain a complete file on the vehicles

involved in the crash, the geometry of the crash location, the interaction of the 

vehicles with the geometry/location attributes, the demography of the Passenger 

Vehicle Occupants, and the injury mechanisms/patterns, if any exist, for each of 

the occupants. With regard to this report, the strength of CDS lies in the injury 

severity ratings and the associated injury sources. The abbreviated injury scale 

(AIS) is used to assess risk of fatality. The AIS injury categories are defined as 

follows:

AIS 1 – Minor

AIS 2 – Moderate

AIS 3 – Serious

AIS 4 – Severe

AIS 5 – Critical

AIS 6 – Maximum (untreatable)

Currently, CDS integrates 11 files: Accident Description, Accident, Event,

General Vehicle, Occupant Assessment, Occupant Injury, Person Profile,

Accident Type, Vehicle Exterior, Vehicle Profile, Vehicle Interior. The Accident 

Description, Person Profile, Accident Type, and Vehicle Profile are text

descriptions of the people, crash, and vehicles as summarized by the investigator. 

The Accident and Event files convey the most general crash elements such as 

roadway geometry, crash type, numbers of vehicles and occupants, offending

roadside elements, and general vehicle classifications. The General Vehicle, 

Vehicle Exterior, and Vehicle Interior files convey vehicle related attributes of the 
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 86

crash. The Occupant Assessment and Occupant Injury files compile the crash 

demography placing the occupant in the vehicle and associating him with crash 

attributes and injury mechanisms.

The elements used for the study were taken from the Occupant Assessment and 

Occupant Injury files. These files indicated the age, seating position, injury level 

and injury type for each occupant within the struck vehicle.

11.1.3 United States Census Bureau

The U.S. Census Bureau was consulted owing to their yearly demographic data on 

children 0 through 8 years old. These figures became exposure measures used to 

frame the issue of child occupant restraint use. Specifically, the population data 

yielded annual counts of children by age.

11.1.4 Federal Highway Administration

The 2000 Traffic Safety Facts reprinted and calculated rates based on the FHWA 

vehicle miles traveled (VMT). VMT became one of two exposure measures used 

to frame the issue of child occupant restraint use. Although the vehicle miles 

traveled spanned the entire driving public, these were used as a surrogate of 

vehicle miles traveled for the 0 – 8 year olds.
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 87

11.2 Passenger Vehicle Occupant AIS Injuries, by Restraint Use and Injured Body 

Region

Chart 47: Passenger Vehicle Occupant Injuries, All Ages, AIS 1,

by Injured Body Region and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS CDS 1991-1996, 1998-2000

Table 36

Passenger Vehicle Occupant Injuries, All Ages, AIS 1, 

by Restraint Use and Injured Body Region

Injured Body Region

Restraint Use Abdomen Chest Head

Lower

Extremity Neck

Upper

Extremity Unknown Total

Restrained 854,946 3,705,273 5,622,413 5,413,296 2,776,245 5,645,305 356,666 24,374,144

None Used 483,186 2,116,238 7,287,395 4,360,003 1,249,228 3,209,319 365,101 19,070,469

Other/Unknown 42,114 314,036 838,133 432,866 278,257 346,514 53,613 2,305,533

Total 1,380,246 6,135,547 13,747,941 10,206,165 4,303,729 9,201,139 775,380 45,750,146

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS CDS 1991-1996, 1998-2000

0

2,000,000

4,000,000

6,000,000

8,000,000

Abdomen

Chest

Head

Lower Extremity

Neck

Upper Extremity

Body Region

Number of Injuries

Restrained None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 88

Chart 48: Passenger Vehicle Occupant Injuries, All Ages, AIS 2,

by Injured Body Region and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS CDS 1991-1996, 1998-2000

Table 37

Passenger Vehicle Occupant Injuries, All Ages, AIS 2, 

by Restraint Use and Injured Body Region

Injured Body Region

Restraint Use Abdomen Chest Head

Lower

Extremity Neck

Upper

Extremity Unknown Total

Restrained 118,132 214,364 425,584 438,047 37,465 363,663 498 1,597,752

None Used 158,260 263,366 772,184 592,822 80,653 411,219 645 2,279,149

Other/Unknown 21,398 30,996 124,997 64,383 10,205 42,914 110 295,002

Total 297,789 508,726 1,322,764 1,095,252 128,322 817,796 1,253 4,171,902

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS CDS 1991-1996, 1998-2000

0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

Abdomen

Chest

Head

Lower Extremity

Neck

Upper Extremity

Body Region

Number of Injuries

Restrained None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 89

Chart 49: Passenger Vehicle Occupant Injuries, All Ages, AIS 3 - 6, 

by Injured Body Region and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS CDS 1991-1996, 1998-2000

Table 38

Passenger Vehicle Occupant Injuries, All Ages, AIS 3 - 6, 

by Restraint Use and Injured Body Region

Injured Body Region

Restraint Use Abdomen Chest Head

Lower

Extremity Neck

Upper

Extremity Unknown Total

Restrained 42,223 187,449 169,415 103,382 18,432 85,479 1,068 607,447

None Used 83,222 353,625 409,618 254,056 44,105 120,791 1,306 1,266,722

Other/Unknown 17,652 47,835 54,790 35,044 5,093 7,444 5,172 173,030

Total 143,096 588,909 633,823 392,482 67,630 213,714 7,545 2,047,198

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS CDS 1991-1996, 1998-2000

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

350,000

400,000

450,000

Abdomen

Chest

Head

Lower Extremity

Neck

Upper Extremity

Body Region

Number of Injuries

Restrained None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 90

11.3 Passenger Vehicle Occupant AIS Injuries, by Restraint Use, Seating Position, and 

Injured Body Region

11.3.1 Front Seat Passenger Vehicle Occupant AIS 1 Injuries, by Restraint Use and 

Injured Body Region

Chart 50: Front Seat Passenger Vehicle Occupant AIS 1 Injuries, Age 0 to 8 Years Old, 

by Injured Body Region and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS CDS 1991-1996, 1998-2000

Table 39

Front Seat Passenger Vehicle Occupant AIS 1 Injuries, Age 0 - 8 Years Old,

by Injured Body Region and Restraint Use

Seating Position – Front Seat

Restraint Use

Injured Body 

Region

Child 

Safety

Seat

Lap and/or

Shoulder Belt None Used

Other

Unknown Total

Abdomen 1,731 10,629 2,512 1,058 15,930

Chest 1,315 6,460 9,226 470 17,471

Head 28,951 116,941 132,246 7,500 285,638

Lower Extremity 4,155 21,375 22,204 1,306 49,040

Neck 1,845 12,835 1,453 119 16,252

Upper Extremity 13,974 37,950 13,636 792 66,352

Unknown 429 3,554 1,093 91 5,166

Total 52,398 209,744 182,371 11,336 455,849

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS CDS 1991-1996, 1998-2000

0

35,000

70,000

105,000

140,000

Abdomen

Chest

Head

Lower Extremity

Neck

Body Region Upper Extremity

Number of Injuries

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 91

11.3.2 Second Seat Passenger Vehicle Occupant AIS 1 Injuries, by Restraint Use and 

Injured Body Region

Chart 51: Second Seat Passenger Vehicle Occupant AIS 1 Injuries, Age 0 to 8 Years Old, 

by Injured Body Region and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS CDS 1991-1996, 1998-2000

Table 40

Second Seat Passenger Vehicle Occupant AIS 1 Injuries, Age 0 - 8 Years Old,

by Injured Body Region and Restraint Use

Seating Position – Second Seat

Restraint Use

Injured Body 

Region

Child 

Safety

Seat

Lap and/or

Shoulder Belt None Used

Other/

Unknown Total

Abdomen 5,129 23,874 3,907 5,156 38,065

Chest 23,329 12,796 8,902 5,547 50,575

Head 104,941 190,770 74,298 14,844 384,853

Lower Extremity 14,524 42,701 18,995 2,672 78,893

Neck 24,165 14,711 13,36 1,712 54,324

Upper Extremity 24,079 23,558 17,276 1,476 66,389

Unknown 6,443 5,547 1,764 1,852 15,605

Total 202,610 313,957 138,878 33,259 688,704

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS CDS 1991-1996, 1998-2000

0

40,000

80,000

120,000

160,000

200,000

240,000

Abdomen

Chest

Head

Lower Extremity

Neck

Upper Extremity

Body Region

Number of Injuries

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 92

11.3.3 Front Seat Passenger Vehicle Occupant AIS 2 Injuries, by Restraint Use and 

Injured Body Region

Chart 52: Front Seat Passenger Vehicle Occupant AIS 2 Injuries, Age 0 - 8 Years Old, by 

Injured Body Region and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS CDS 1991-1996, 1998-2000

Table 41

Front Seat Passenger Vehicle Occupant AIS 2 Injuries, Age 0 - 8 Years Old,

by Injured Body Region and Restraint Use

Seating Position – Front Seat

Restraint Use

Injured Body 

Region

Child Safety

Seat

Lap and/or

Shoulder Belt None Used

Other/

Unknown Total

Abdomen 348 828 1,268 76 2,520

Chest 100 447 0 0 546

Head 952 2,761 4,951 765 9,430

Lower Extremity 223 1,255 1,956 0 3,435

Neck 82 30 93 62 267

Upper Extremity 735 994 2,035 310 4,074

Total 2,440 6,315 10,303 1,213 20,272

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS CDS 1991-1996, 1998-2000

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

Abdomen

Chest

Head

Lower Extremity

Neck

Upper Extremity

Body Region

Number of Injuries

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 93

11.3.4 Second Seat Passenger Vehicle Occupant AIS 2 Injuries, by Restraint Use and 

Injured Body Region

Chart 53: Second Seat Passenger Vehicle Occupant AIS 2 Injuries, Age 0 - 8 Years Old, 

by Injured Body Region and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS CDS 1991-1996, 1998-2000

Table 42

Second Seat Passenger Vehicle Occupant AIS 2 Injuries, Age 0 - 8 Years Old,

by Injured Body Region and Restraint Use

Seating Position – Second Seat

Restraint Use

Injured Body

Region

Child 

Safety

Seat

Lap and/or

Shoulder Belt None Used

Other/

Unknown Total

Abdomen 182 3,058 2,417 93 5,750

Chest 7 31 41 0 79

Head 4,496 2,800 6,678 736 14,711

Lower Extremity 1,041 771 761 509 3,081

Neck 723 111 478 0 1,312

Upper Extremity 2,845 2,194 1,109 387 6,534

Total 9,294 8,965 11,483 1,725 31,467

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS CDS 1991-1996, 1998-2000

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

Abdomen

Chest

Head

Lower Extremity

Neck

Upper Extremity

Body Region

Number of Injuries

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 94

11.3.5 Front Seat Passenger Vehicle Occupant AIS 3-6 Injuries, by Restraint Use and 

Injured Body Region

Chart 54: Front Seat Passenger Vehicle Occupant AIS 3 - 6 Injuries, Age 0 - 8 Years Old, 

by Injured Body Region and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS CDS 1991-1996, 1998-2000

Table 43

Front Seat Passenger Vehicle Occupant AIS 3 - 6 Injuries, Age 0 - 8 Years Old, 

by Injured Body Region and Restraint Use

Seating Position – Front Seat

Restraint Use

Injured Body 

Region

Child Safety

Seat

Lap and/or 

Shoulder Belt

None 

Used

Other/

Unknown Total

Abdomen 271 288 1,311 44 1,915

Chest 378 509 2,757 25 3,668

Head 1,552 2,444 4,747 859 9,602

Lower Extremity 64 0 1,642 25 1,731

Neck 99 0 32 0 131

Upper Extremity 0 38 1,115 0 1,154

Unknown 22 0 0 29 51

Total 2,386 3,279 11,604 983 18,252

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS CDS 1991-1996, 1998-2000

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

Abdomen

Chest

Head

Lower Extremity

Neck

Upper Extremity

Body Region

Number of Injuries

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 95

11.3.6 Second Seat Passenger Vehicle Occupant AIS 3 - 6 Injuries, by Restraint Use and 

Injured Body Region

Chart 55: Second Seat Passenger Vehicle Occupant AIS 3 - 6 Injuries, Age 0 - 8 Years 

Old, by Injured Body Region and Restraint Use

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS CDS 1991-1996, 1998-2000

Table 44

Second Seat Passenger Vehicle Occupant AIS 3 - 6 Injuries, Age 0 - 8 Years Old, 

by Injured Body Region and Restraint Use

Seating Position – Second Seat

Restraint Use

Injured Body 

Region

Child Safety

Seat

Lap and/or

Shoulder Belt

None 

Used

Other/

Unknown Total

Abdomen 1,424 301 965 73 2,764

Chest 3,284 601 2,146 196 6,226

Head 6,336 2,800 4,734 1,613 15,483

Lower Extremity 951 411 438 75 1,875

Neck 450 101 381 0 932

Upper Extremity 237 390 1,067 5 1,699

Unknown 0 0 0 172 172

Total 12,682 4,603 9,731 2,134 29,150

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA, NASS CDS 1991-1996, 1998-2000

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

Abdomen

Chest

Head

Lower Extremity

Neck

Upper Extremity

Body Region

Number of Injuries

Child Safety Seat Lap and/or Shoulder Belt None Used Other/Unknown
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 96

11.4 U.S. Resident Population Data

Table 45

U.S. Resident Population by Year and Age

Age

Year < 1 1-3 4-8 Total

1991 4,009,515 11,468,844 18,154,546 33,632,905

1992 3,982,857 11,739,325 18,296,744 34,018,926

1993 3,908,335 11,898,416 18,612,278 34,419,029

1994 3,854,882 11,821,298 18,958,858 34,635,038

1995 3,813,169 11,668,778 19,309,487 34,791,434

1996 3,769,544 11,499,426 19,610,009 34,878,979

1997 3,779,543 11,371,094 19,788,553 34,939,190

1998 3,790,645 11,301,476 19,814,280 34,906,401

1999 3,819,903 11,269,665 19,629,729 34,719,297

2000 3,815,469 11,318,813 19,325,803 34,460,085

Source: U.S. Census Bureau
______________________________________________________________________________

 National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 400 Seventh St., S.W., Washington, DC 20590 97

12. REFERENCES

1. United States Census Bureau, Population Division, Population Estimates

Program, “Resident Population of the United States by Age and Sex: April 1, 

1990 to July 1, 2000.”

2. U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration, “Traffic Safety Facts: A Compilation of Motor Vehicle Crash 

Data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and the General Estimates 

System.” December 2000.

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