Demographics

Abstract

There has been a significant decrease in traffic injuries and fatalities in the last decade due to major advances in restraint systems in vehicles and by large initiatives that have taken place to educate parents, children and adolescents on the importance of safety in and around cars. However, motor vehicle related crashes continue to be the leading cause of death and injury for children ages 5-19 years. There are a number of different motor vehicle related crashes that a child or adolescent can be involved in; occupant of a vehicle, pedestrian and pedal cyclist. As a result, children and adolescents are exposed to a variety of injuries and psychological stress from these encounters. The following chapter will provide demographic data related to children and adolescents involvement in these different types of crashes along with the various physical injuries and nonphysical injuries that can occur as a result. This will signify the importance of and demonstrate how often this age group is and can be affected by traffic crashes and the impending trauma that is likely occurring, even in the absence of physical injury.