Motor Vehicle Passenger Injury
Key Safety Messages:
The Higher You Sit, The Safer the Fit: Adult seat belts don't fit children properly until they're 148cm tall, which is why it's so important for pre-school and school-aged kids to stay in an appropriate child restraint or booster seat.
The back seat is safest for kids.
For children 0-14 years, one of the leading causes of injury involves children as passengers in motor vehicles, with about 16 deaths a year and the equivalent of one classroom-full (26) of children admitted to hospital a month.
Studies show booster seats for pre-school and school-aged kids can reduce the risk of hospitalisation and death by up to 59%. Correct installation is also important. When used correctly, child car restraints reduce the risk of death for infants by up to 70%, for toddlers by up to 54% , and the need for hospitalisation for children 4 years and under by up to 69% .
For other Key Messages on this injury issue,
click here.
Click the links below to access injury resources, information, prevention and other information.
Factsheets
Resources
If you are a Safekids Coalition member and would like to order resources, email campaign@safekids.org.nz.
Media Release
Position Papers, Research, Bibliography and Advocacy Information
Project Plans
Presentations
Links
For links to New Zealand and international websites relating to this injury topic, go to our
links page.
This page was last updated August 25, 2010.