One study showed that 25 percent of children who suffered from traffic injuries and 15 percent of their parents were later diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder. More than 20 percent of these deaths were among infants in rear-facing child safety seats in front of a passenger airbag. More than 89 percent of all children killed by passenger airbags were either unrestrained or improperly restrained at the time of the crash. More than one-fifth of all traffic deaths among children ages 14 and under involve alcohol. Almost half of the children killed in alcohol-related crashes are passengers in vehicles with drunken drivers.
Rural areas have higher motor vehicle crash incidence rates and death rates than urban areas.
In addition, crashes in rural areas are more severe. RISK Riding unrestrained is the greatest risk factor for death and injury among child occupants of motor vehicles. Approximately 29 percent of children ages 4 and under ride unrestrained, placing them at twice the risk of death and injury as those riding restrained. Misuse of child safety seats is widespread. It is estimated that approximately 85 percent of children who are placed in child safety seats and booster seats are improperly restrained.