Today's News by Jack Nerad for Driving Today

Keeping Kids Safe

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Children love going for rides in cars and trucks, but they also may not fully understand how to stay safe around vehicles. Federal statistics show motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in children ages 2 to 14. Education is the only way to alter that harsh statistic, and now a number of organizations are concentrating on high-risk children, many of whom have minority parents. 

Despite reaching millions with various safety and child-seat programs, injury prevention initiatives don’t reach enough high-risk families. At particular risk are children of African-American and Hispanic families, many of whom find it economically challenging to buy and maintain proper child safety seats and boosters. Often their parents also aren’t especially good role models when it comes to seat belt use and safe driving habits.

“The injury rate for African-American child passengers ages 14 and under are more than twice that of white children,” said Todd Brooks, a child-safety expert. “Hispanics up to 14 years old also have a 25 percent higher injury death rate from motor vehicles compared to non-Hispanic children.”

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