Here’s a devastating statistic: collisions are a leading cause of death among children in the United States. Almost 140,000 children were injured in collisions in 2020, and over 1,000 children were killed in collisions that same year. This week, NHTSA wants drivers to focus on keeping children safe in the car.
In this case, children includes anyone age 14 and under.
Alcohol-Impaired-Driving Collisions
An average of three children were killed in collisions every day in 2020. Of the children who were killed that year, about 21% of the collisions were alcohol-related.
The majority of children who died in alcohol-impaired collisions (57%) were passengers in a vehicle driven by a drinking driver. Fifty-six percent of those children were not properly restrained.
Twenty-eight percent were passengers in other vehicles and were involved in a collision with a drinking driver.
Any time someone drives with a mind-altering substance in their system, or a substance that impacts their physical abilities, they’re a danger to others. When they still choose to drive even though they have children in the car, they’re putting an innocent child’s life at risk. An adult can choose not to get in the car with a driver who has been drinking or using drugs, but children don’t have the same choice, especially if the driver is their parent or another authority figure.
Every state has laws prohibiting alcohol-impaired driving. Some states have increased penalties for drinking drivers with child passengers. For example, New York passed a law in 2009 that imposes stricter penalties for drinking drivers when a child under age 16 is a passenger in the vehicle. This is called "Leandra’s Law," in honor of 11-year-old Leandra Rosado, who was killed in a crash in a vehicle driven by the intoxicated mother of her friend in October 2009. In New York, drivers who commit alcohol-related offenses with a child in the vehicle may be charged with a class E felony, punishable by up to 4 years in prison.
Never drive impaired. Keep tabs on your children and make sure they’re never getting in a car with a drinking driver.
Are you looking for defensive driving and traffic school courses? Do you want a discount on your auto insurance? Are you a mature driver interested in a discount on your auto insurance? Safe2Drive isn’t just for teen drivers. We offer convenient online courses for drivers of any age! Visit our website today to learn about the online courses we offer in your state.
Here’s a devastating statistic: collisions are a leading cause of death among children in the United States. Almost 140,000 children were injured in collisions in 2020, and over 1,000 children were killed in collisions that same year. This week, NHTSA wants drivers to focus on keeping children safe in the car.