Kids And Cars,

Before The Crash

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for young children and teens in the United States. In 1997, nearly 5,500 young people (passengers and drivers ages 15-20) died in motor vehicle crashes nationwide and nearly 65 percent of those deaths occurred when another teen was driving.

Among children killed as passengers in motor vehicle crashes in 1995, nearly 60 percent of those aged zero to four and nearly 70 percent of five to 14-year-olds were not using safety restraints at the time of the collision. What can be done to stop these astonishing statistics?

Tune in for Kids and Cars: Before the Crash, a Connecticut Public Television (CPTV) original, premiering Tuesday, May 8, at 8 pm and then repeating on Sunday, May 13, at 1 pm, and Saturday, May 19, at noon. CPTV is on Charter Communications channel 12.

Kids and Cars: Before the Crash examines the causes of childhood injury and loss of life associated with motor vehicles. It also offers lifesaving solutions to end these staggering statistics, from car seats to car curfews.

“The statistics are alarming,” said show producer Jennifer Boyd. “More than 35 percent of children ages four and under ride unrestrained in vehicles, putting them at twice the risk of death and injury than those riding restrained. This program offers a unique opportunity to identify the simple steps we call can take to reduce these alarming statistics.”

“Correctly installing and using a car seat reduces the risk of death in a crash by 71 percent,” said Eileen Henzy, the director of Connecticut SAFE KIDS, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. “We at CCMC are proud to join CPTV in emphasizing the important efforts all families can make to protect their children.”

“In addition, teenager motor vehicle crashes are a real risk that can be reduced,” said Garry Lapidus, the director of the injury prevention center at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. “Connecticut should address the problems of inexperience and risky driving behavior by adopting graduated driver licensing [GDL].” The driving program includes restrictions of teen passengers and night-time driving in the first year of licensure. GDL also includes parent-supervised driving. Such temporary provisions, which have been proven effective, are phased out as the teen driver gains experience and demonstrates safe driving behavior.