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Fact Sheet
Study: Child Passenger Deaths Involving Drinking Drivers United States, 19972002Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages one year or older, and one in four of these crash deaths involves a driver who has consumed alcohol. This study also found that 68 percent of children killed in alcohol-related crashes in the United States between 1997 and 2002 were riding in the same vehicle as the drinking driver. Sixty-eight percent of the drinking drivers involved in these crashes survived, suggesting that many of the children might also have survived had they been properly restrained. Additional key findings include:
Prevention Tips: *Strong enforcement of driving while intoxicated (DWI) laws, child safety seat laws, and safety belt laws could further reduce these deaths. In addition, an increase in sobriety and safety belt check points, strongly enforced administrative license suspension for DWI and the implementation of mandatory substance abuse assessment and treatment for offenders could prove beneficial. For Families
For Health Care Providers
For States and Communities
Prevention Resources:
*Recommendations from the Motor Vehicle Occupant Injury chapter of The Guide to Community Preventive Services, a federally sponsored initiative that is part of a family of federal public health initiatives. It provides public health decision makers with recommendations regarding population based interventions to promote health and to prevent disease, injury, disability, and premature death appropriate for use by communities and health care systems. This MMWR article is available online at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5304a2.htm. For additional information from CDCs Injury Center visit: http://www.cdc.gov/injury. # # # CDC protects people's health and safety by preventing and controlling diseases and injuries; enhances health decisions by providing credible information on critical health issues; and promotes healthy living through strong partnerships with local, national, and international organizations.
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Contact Us This page last updated February 6, 2004 United
States Department of Health and Human Services |