The majority of these deaths result from fatal head injuries, especially among the youngest children. Severe and serious nonfatal injuries, primarily brain and spinal cord injuries and facial disfigurement, have devastating effects on the child, the family, the community and society as a whole.
Children are particularly at risk from death and injury as passengers in motor vehicles.
Motor vehicle safety features are designed for the comfort and protection of an adult-sized body. These same devices may place children at greater risk. Child safety seats and safety belts, when correctly used and installed, can prevent injury and save lives. However, usage rates sharply declined as the child's age increased. Only 61 percent of children ages 1 to 4 and 58 percent of children ages 5 to 14 were restrained by child safety seats or safety belts.