2025 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 2023 to 2024

Data Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2025, January). Seat belt use in 2024 – overall results (Traffic Safety Facts Research Note. Report No. DOT HS 813 682). NHTSA. figure 1, page 1

Summary

According to the 2024 NOPUS Survey, Seat Belt Use Among Front-Seat Passengers declined 0.7 percent from 2023 to 2024, going from 91.9 percent to 91.2 percent. This result is not statistically different at 0.05 level.

Seat Belt Use Rates According to Traveling Circumstances

Summary

Seat Belt use rose in several circumstances when traveling including on expressways and in not clear weather conditions.

Nationwide Summary

Breakdown of Fatalities by Restraint Use Nationwide in 2023

Infographic detailing unrestrained fatal crashes in crashes with known restraint use nationwide in 2023. For more information, go to the following summary.

Data Source: i) National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2025, April). Overview of motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2023. DOT HS 813 705. NHTSA, table 8, page 9 ii) National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2025, January). Seat belt use in 2024 – overall results (Traffic Safety Facts Research Note. Report No. DOT HS 813 682). NHTSA. figure 1, page 1

Summary

Nationwide, 49.2 percent (or 10,484) unrestrained passenger vehicle occupants (with known restraint use) were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2023. For comparison, the estimated front-seat belt use for adults is 91.2 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 2019 to 2023

Trend-line chart detailing unrestrained occupant fatalities nationally and in California from 2019 to 2023. For more information, go to the following summary.

Data source: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2019 – 2022 Final File & 2023 ARF

Summary

Nationally, 10,485 unrestrained passenger vehicle occupants were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2023.
In California, there were 780 unrestrained passenger vehicle occupants killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2023.
Unrestrained passenger vehicle occupants fatalities decreased nationally by 7.7 percent between 2022 and 2023.
Unrestrained passenger vehicle occupants fatalities decreased in California by 8.6 percent between 2022 and 2023.

Daytime and Nighttime Crash Frequency Nationwide in Unrestrained Fatal Crashes in 2023

Infographic detailing crash daytime and nighttime crash frequency in unrestrained fatal crashes nationwide in 2023. For more information, see the following summary.

Data Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2025, April). Overview of motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2023. DOT HS 813 705. NHTSA, page 8

Summary

In 2023, daytime restraint use was higher than nighttime restraint use.
In 2023, 42 percent of passenger vehicle occupants killed during daytime crashes were unrestrained while 56 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 2023.

California’s front seat belt use rate for those aged 5 and older has been greater than 95.0 percent from 2015 to 2023, apart from 2020 when no survey was conducted.

California Front Seat Belt Use Rate in 2023

Map visual of California detailing that California has the highest front seat belt use rate nationwide in 2023. For more information, see the following summary.

Data Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2024, August). Seat belt use in 2023 — Use rates in the states and territories (Traffic Safety Facts Crash•Stats. Report No. DOT HS 813 615). NHTSA.

Summary

In 2023, California had the third highest front seat belt use nationwide with 96.2 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 (2023)

Bar chart detailing the top five most common primary crash factors in unrestrained occupant fatal and serious injury crashes in California in 2023. 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) 2023

Summary

Driving or bicycling under the influence of alcohol or drugs was the most common primary crash factor in unrestrained occupant FSI crashes in 2023 making up 36.7 percent, followed by improper turning and unsafe speed accounting for 25.3 and 16.9 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 2023 accounting for 6.0 and 4.6 percent respectively.

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

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Population Health. (2015). BRFSS prevalence & trends data [Online]. https://www.cdc.gov/brfss/brfssprevalence/
National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2024, August). Seat belt use in 2023 — Use rates in the states and territories (Traffic Safety Facts Crash•Stats. Report No. DOT HS 813 615). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2025, January). Seat belt use in 2024 – Overall results (Traffic Safety Facts Research Note. Report No. DOT HS 813 682). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2025, April). Overview of motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2023 (Report No. DOT HS 813 705). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (n.d.). State traffic safety performance (core outcome) measures for California. https://cdan.nhtsa.gov/STSI.htm

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, just under three children aged 14 and under were killed daily in traffic crashes in the United States in 2023. Across the age spectrum, child motor vehicle fatalities have decreased over the past decade, with the highest decrease in fatalities among the four to seven year-old age group. These fatality trends are in part due to child safety seats and lap/shoulder seat belt use.

Child Fatalities (Ages 4-7) in Motor Vehicle Crashes over Time from 2014 to 2023

Data Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2024, June). Children: 2023 data (Traffic Safety Facts. Report No. DOT HS 813 712). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. page 3

Summary

Between 2014 and 2023, child fatalities (Ages 4 to 7) decreased 47 percent going from 310 fatalities in 2014 to 210 in 2023.

Child Passengers Survival Rates in Fatal Crashes by Restraint Use (aged 14 and younger) in 2023

Breakdown of survival rates in fatal crashes by restrain use (aged 14 and younger) in 2023. 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. (2024, June). Children: 2023 data (Traffic Safety Facts. Report No. DOT HS 813 712). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. table 1, page 5

Summary

In 2023, 80 percent of child passengers who survived in a fatal crash were restrained, compared to 38 percent of child passengers who were killed in fatal crashes were unrestrained.

*Note: these percentages are for known restraint use only.

Unrestrained Child Passenger Fatality Trends Nationwide and in California from 2019 to 2023

Trend-line chart detailing unrestrained child passenger-related fatalities nationally and in California from 2019 to 2023. For more information, go to the following summary.

Data source: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2018 – 2022 Final File & 2023 ARF

Summary

Nationally, 264 children (aged 14 and under) were killed in unrestrained crashes in 2023.
In California, there were 24 children killed in unrestrained crashes in 2023.
Unrestrained child fatalities decreased nationally by 0.75 percent between 2022 and 2023.
Unrestrained child fatalities increased in California by 4.3 percent between 2022 and 2023. 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 2022 and 2023

Data Source: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2022 Final File & 2023 ARF

Summary

There were 1,019 fatalities among children aged 14 and under nationally in 2023, a decrease of 9.8 percent from 1,130 in 2022.
There were 264 unrestrained children aged 14 and under killed nationally in 2023, a decrease of 0.08 percent from 266 unrestrained child fatalities in 2022.

California Summary

Unrestrained Child Fatalities and Serious injuries Over Time in California between 2022 and 2023

Bar chart detailing unrestrained child fatalities and serious injuries in California from 2022 to 2023.

Data Source: i) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 2022 Final File & 2023 ARF ; ii) Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) 2022 & Provisional 2023

Summary

There were 106 serious injuries among unrestrained children aged 14 and under in 2023, a decrease of 3.6 percent from 110 in 2022.
There were 24 unrestrained child fatalities (aged 14 and under) in 2023, an increase of 4.3 percent from 23 in 2022. 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 (2023)

Bar chart detailing the top five most common primary crash factors in unrestrained child fatal and serious injury crashes in California in 2023. 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) 2023

Summary

Driving or bicycling under the influence of alcohol or drugs was the most common primary crash factor in unrestrained child fatal and serious injury FSI crashes in 2023 making up 25.2 percent, followed by improper turning (23.4 percent) and unsafe speed (21.5 percent.)

Automobile right of way followed by traffic signals and signs made up the fourth and fifth most common primary crash factor in unrestrained child FSI crashes in 2023 accounting for 11.2 and 9.3 percent respectively.

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

References:

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Population Health. (2015). BRFSS prevalence & trends data [Online]. https://www.cdc.gov/brfss/brfssprevalence/
National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2024, August). Seat belt use in 2023 — Use rates in the states and territories (Traffic Safety Facts Crash•Stats. Report No. DOT HS 813 615). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2025, January). Seat belt use in 2024 – Overall results (Traffic Safety Facts Research Note. Report No. DOT HS 813 682). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2025, April). Overview of motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2023 (Report No. DOT HS 813 705). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (n.d.). State traffic safety performance (core outcome) measures for California. https://cdan.nhtsa.gov/STSI.htm
National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2025, April). Children: 2023 data (Traffic Safety Facts. Report No. DOT HS 813 712). 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.