2023 SafeTREC Traffic Safety Facts: Occupant Protection and Child Passenger Safety

Occupant Protection

Introduction

Restraint devices such as seat belts are a key element of motor vehicle occupant protection systems. Analyses presented in the occupant protection program area include fatal and serious injuries where a driver or passenger in a passenger vehicle was unrestrained. Occupant protection crashes in this web page are defined as crashes where one or more occupants in a passenger vehicle was unrestrained Under this program area, there are additional analyses that address child passenger safety.

Each year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducts the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) that measures, among many variables, the daytime use of seat belts by occupants aged eight and older.

Seat Belt Use Rates Among Front-Seat Passengers Nationwide from 2021 to 2022

Data Source: Boyle, L. (2023, January). Seat belt use in 2022 – Overall results (Traffic Safety Facts Research Note. Report No. DOT HS 813 407). NHTSA. table 1 page 2

Summary

According to the 2022 NOPUS Survey, Seat Belt Use Among Front-Seat Passengers rose 1.2 percent from 2021 to 2022, going from 90.4 percent to 91.6 percent.

Summary

Seat Belt use rose in several circumstances when traveling including on surface streets, in medium-speed traffic and in not clear weather conditions.

Seat Belt Use Rates According to Traveling Circumstances

Infographic detailing seat belt use rates according to different travel circumstances. For more information see the following summary.

Note: Medium-speed traffic is defined as an average vehicle passenger speed of 31 to 50 mph. Not clear weather conditions include sites where light precipitation or fog is present.

Data Source: Boyle, L. (2023, January). Seat belt use in 2022 – Overall results (Traffic Safety Facts Research Note. Report No.). NHTSA. table 1 page 2

Nationwide Summary

Breakdown of Fatalities by Restraint Use Nationwide in 2021

Infographic detailing unrestrained fatal crashes in crashes with known restraint use nationwide in 2021. For more information, go to the following summary.

Data Source: i) Stewart, T. (2023). Overview of motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2021. DOT HS 813 435. NHTSA. Page 17; ii) Boyle, L. (2023, January). Seat belt use in 2022 – Overall results (Traffic Safety Facts Research Note. Report No. DOT HS 813 407). NHTSA. table 1 page 2

Summary

Nationwide, 50 percent (or 11813) unrestrained passenger vehicle occupants were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2021. For comparison, the estimated front-seat belt use for adults is 90.4 percent.

Proper use of seat belts and other occupant safety devices is an important component of the Safe Vehicles and Safe Road Users layers of protection of the United States Department of Transportation’s Safe System Approach.

Unrestrained Occupant Fatality Trends Nationwide and in California from 2017 to 2021

Trend-line chart detailing unrestrained occupant fatalities nationally and in California from 2017 to 2021. For more information, go to the following summary.

Data source: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2017 – 2020 Final File & 2021 ARF

Summary

Nationally, 11813 unrestrained passenger vehicle occupants were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2021.
In California, there were 878 unrestrained passenger vehicle occupants killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2021.
Unrestrained passenger vehicle occupants fatalities increased nationally by 8.1 percent between 2020 and 2021.
Unrestrained passenger vehicle occupants fatalities increased in California by 12.3 percent between 2020 and 2021.

Daytime and Nighttime Crash Frequency Nationwide in Unrestrained Fatal Crashes in 2021

Infographic detailing crash daytime and nighttime crash frequency in unrestrained fatal crashes nationwide in 2021. For more information, see the following summary.

Note: These numbers are for known-restraint use only.

Data Source: Stewart, T. (2023). Overview of motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2021. DOT HS 813 435. NHTSA. Table 7, page 17

Summary

In 2021, daytime restraint use was higher than nighttime restraint use.
In 2021, 57.1 percent of passenger vehicle occupants killed during daytime crashes were unrestrained while 42.7 percent of passenger vehicle occupants killed during nighttime crashes were unrestrained .

California Summary

The figures in this section refer to crashes in which one or more occupants in a passenger vehicle was unrestrained, and was fatally or seriously injured in California in 2021.

California’s front seat belt use rate for those aged 5 and older has been greater than 95.0 percent from 2015 to 2021, apart from 2020 when no survey was conducted.

California Front Seat Belt Use Rate in 2021

Map visual of California detailing that California has the highest front seat belt use rate nationwide in 2021. For more information, see the following summary.

Data Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2022, May). Seat Belt Use in 2021—Use Rates in the States and Territories (Traffic Safety Facts Crash Stats. Report No. DOT HS 813 307)

Summary

In 2021, California had the highest front seat belt use nationwide with 97.2 percent.

Primary Crash Factors of Unrestrained Occupant Fatal and Serious Injury (FSI) Crashes

Top Five Primary Crash Factors of Unrestrained Occupant Fatal and Serious Injury Crashes In California (2021)

Bar chart detailing the top five most common primary crash factors in unrestrained occupant fatal and serious injury crashes in California in 2021. For more information, go to the following summary.

Note: For more information on the different Crash Types, please see the Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) Help FAQ page, in the Codebook - Crash Level Section

Data source: Provisional Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) 2021

Summary

Improper turning was the most common primary crash factor in unrestrained occupant FSI crashes in 2021 making up 33.3 percent, followed by driving and bicycling under the influence of alcohol or drugs and unsafe speed accounting for 26.7 and 15.2 percent respectively.

Automobile right of way followed by traffic signals and signs made up the fourth and fifth most common primary crash factor in unrestrained occupant FSI crashes in 2021 accounting for 10.5 and 4.8 percent respectively.

Data definitions expressed as queries are available in the data dictionary on google sheets.

References

National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2023, January). Seat belt use in 2022 – Overall Results. Traffic Safety Facts Research Note. Report No. DOT HS 813 407). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2022, May). Seat Belt Use in 2021—Use Rates in the States and Territories (Traffic Safety Facts Crash Stats. Report No. DOT HS 813 307). Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Stewart, T. (2023, April). Overview of motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2021 (Report No. DOT HS813 435). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
State Traffic Safety Information (STSI). Traffic Safety Performance (Core Outcome) Measures For California. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.https://cdan.nhtsa.gov/STSI.htm
Boyle, L. L. (2022, August). Occupant restraint use in 2021: Results from the NOPUS Controlled Intersection Study (Report No. DOT HS 813 344). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Population Health. BRFSS Prevalence & Trends Data [online]. 2015. [Accessed April 18, 2023]. URL: https://www.cdc.gov/brfss/brfssprevalence/.

Child Passenger Safety

Introduction

As of January 2017, children under age two must be rear facing in a car seat unless they weigh at least 40 pounds or are at least 40 inches tall (California Vehicle Code § 27360). Children under age eight must be buckled into a car seat or booster seat in the back seat. Children over age eight, or 4’9” or taller, may use the vehicle seat belt system if it fits properly (California Vehicle Code § 27363)

On average, more than three children aged 14 and under were killed daily in traffic crashes in the United States in 2021. Across the age spectrum, child motor vehicle fatalities have decreased over the past decade, with the highest decrease in fatalities among the one to three year-old age group. These fatality trends are in part due to child safety seats and lap/shoulder seat belt use.

Child Fatalities (Ages 1-3) in Motor Vehicle Crashes over Time from 2011 to 2020

Data Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2022, November). Children: 2020 data (revised). (Traffic Safety Facts. Report No. DOT HS 813 285), figure 3, p3.

Summary

Between 2011 and 2020, child fatalities (Ages 1 to 3) decreased 15.1 percent going from 218 fatalities in 2011 to 185 in 2020.

Child Passengers Survival Rates in Fatal Crashes by Restraint Use (aged 14 and younger) in 2020

Breakdown of survival rates in fatal crashes by restrain use (aged 14 and younger) in 2020. For more information, go to the following summary.

Note: Totals only include child passengers in fatal crashes with known restraint use.

Data Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2022, November). Children: 2020 data (revised). Traffic Safety Facts. Report No. DOT HS 813 285)], Table 1, p4.

Summary

In 2020, 85.7 percent of child passengers who survived in a fatal crash were restrained, compared to 57.9 percent of child passengers who were killed in fatal crashes were unrestrained

Unrestrained Child Passenger Fatality Trends Nationwide and in California from 2017 to 2021

Trend-line chart detailing unrestrained child passenger -related fatalities nationally and in California from 2017 to 2021. For more information, go to the following summary.

Data source: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2017 – 2020 Final File & 2021 ARF

Summary

Nationally, 308 children (aged 14 and under) were killed in unrestrained crashes in 2021.
In California, there were 19 children killed in unrestrained crashes in 2021.
Unrestrained child fatalities increased nationally by 7.3 percent between 2020 and 2021.
Unrestrained child fatalities decreased in California by 5.3 percent between 2020 and 2021. It is important to note that the number of fatalities is relatively small and subject to variability.

Nationwide Summary

Nationwide Child Fatalities (14 and Under) and Unrestrained Child Fatalities between 2020 and 2021

Bar chart detailing child fatalities and unrestrained child fatalities nationally and in California from 2020 to 2021. For more information, go to the following summary.

Data Source: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2020 Final File & 2021 ARF

Summary

There were 1,184 fatalities among children aged 14 and under nationally in 2021, an increase of 7.5 percent from 1,101 in 2020.
There were 308 unrestrained children aged 14 and under killed nationally in 2021, an increase of 7.3 percent from 287 unrestrained child fatalities in 2020.

California Summary

Unrestrained Child Fatalities and Serious injuries Over Time in California between 2020 and 2021

Bar chart detailing unrestrained child fatalities and serious injuries in California from 2020 to 2021.

Data Source: i) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2020 Final File & 2021 ARF ; ii) Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) 2020 & Provisional 2021

Summary

There were 125 serious injuries among unrestrained children aged 14 and under in 2021, an increase of 7.5 percent from 116 in 2020.
There were 19 unrestrained child fatalities (aged 14 and under) in 2021, a decrease of 5.3 percent from 20 in 2020. It is important to note that the number of fatalities is relatively small and subject to variability.

Primary Crash Factors and Crash Types for Unrestrained Child Fatal and Serious Injury (FSI) Crashes

Top Five Primary Crash Factors of Unrestrained Child Fatal and Serious Injury Crashes in California (2021)

Bar chart detailing the top five most common primary crash factors in unrestrained child fatal and serious injury crashes in California in 2021. For more information, go to the following summary.

Note: For more information on the different Crash Types, please see the Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) Help FAQ page, in the Codebook - Crash Level Section

Data source: Provisional Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) 2021

Summary

Improper turning was the most common primary crash factor in unrestrained child fatal and serious injury FSI crashes in 2021 making up 33.3 percent, followed by driving or bicycling under the influence of alcohol or drugs (26.7 percent) and unsafe speed(15.2 percent.)

Automobile right of way followed by automobile traffic signals and signs made up the fourth and fifth most common primary crash factor in unrestrained child FSI crashes in 2021 accounting for 10.5 and 4.8 percent respectively.

Data definitions expressed as queries are available in the data dictionary on google sheets.

References:

National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2022, November). Children: 2020 data (revised). (Traffic Safety Facts. Report No. DOT HS 813 285). Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

This report was prepared in cooperation with the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). The opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of OTS.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.