Three-quarters of all children under age 16 were observed appropriately riding in the back seat during recent child restraint surveys conducted by the UNC Highway Safety Research Center. Each year between 1991 and 1999,an average of 64 children ages 16 and under were killed in motor-vehicle crashes. An additional 644 children on average were seriously injured each year during that time frame. The good news is that fatality and injury rates during these years steadily declined. We need to work together to ensure that all children and youth are buckled up when riding in motor vehicles.
Research shows that restraint use decreases as children grow up.
NC child restraint surveys show that just six percent of children under 40 pounds ride unbuckled while 20 percent of kids over 40 pounds ride unrestrained. It is hoped that driver license points now issued to violators of the child passenger safety law will help. We need to work to ensure that child restraints are properly used. Progress has been made. The safest option for children weighing 40 to 60 pounds is the booster seat.