September Social Determinant

In a study from 2021 where researchers observed children riding in cars, they found:

• <1% of children under age 1 were not buckled up,
• 6% of children 1–3 years old were not buckled up,
• 11% of children 4–7 years old were not buckled up,
• 13% of children 8–12 years old were not buckled up.

From a study using fatal crash data, researchers found:

• 30% of 0–3-year-olds killed in crashes were not buckled up and
• 36% of 8–12-year-olds killed in crashes were not buckled up.

Also, among children who are buckled up in child restraints, many graduate too soon to the next stage of child passenger safety. An example is when children stop using a booster seat before the seat belt fits them correctly. Age-appropriate restraint use typically decreases as children get older.