Car Accidents are the leading cause of death for children in the United States. Nearly 2,000 children ages 14 and under are killed in vehicle crashes and another 280,000 are injured each year.
However, child safety seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants (less than 1 year old), and by 54% for toddlers (1-4 years old).
A recent State Farm study found that teen auto accidents spike in October. State Farm found that claims for teen drivers go up 20% in October. Larry Williams, a State Farm agent in Chicago, speculates that the auto accidents are a result of the days getting shorter and darkness coming faster. Also he notes that the roads are slicker with weather changing.
A new study shows that the wide spread use of child safety seats and safety belts and the practice of putting children in the back seat has resulted in an 18 percent reduction in overall fatalities among children ages 0-12 since 1996. The findings were reported in the National Safety Council's Journal of Safety Research.
Chicago City Council unanimously passed a proposed ban on sending text messages while driving in Chicago. Violators could face a $75 fine. The fine would increase to $200 if the violations occur at the time of a traffic accident.
