Each year, thousands of children in the United States are involved in motor vehicle accidents, many with devastating and life-altering outcomes. While traffic safety is often in the spotlight, the data reveals a quieter crisis that doesn’t get nearly enough attention.
In 2022, 1,129 children under the age of 14 died in car crashes. That accounts for nearly 3 percent of all traffic deaths in the U.S. that year. Even more alarming, over 156,000 children were injured in crashes, many of which could have been avoided with better safety measures in place.
At The Fitch Law Firm, we’ve seen how heartbreaking these accidents can be. That’s why we dug into the data to understand where children are most vulnerable, what’s behind these incidents, and what steps we can take to reduce the number of preventable tragedies on our roads.
Where Are Children Most at Risk?
Child traffic deaths tend to follow patterns. The most dangerous places and times aren’t random, and understanding them is key to prevention.
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Pedestrian deaths: In 2022, 188 children were killed while walking. Most of these incidents happened in urban areas, and over half occurred after after-school hours between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.—a time when kids are more likely to be outside.
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Hit-and-run crashes: Around 1 in 5 child pedestrian deaths involved a hit-and-run driver. These tragedies highlight just how serious reckless driving has become in busy neighborhoods.
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Bicycle deaths: 56 children lost their lives while riding bikes. While 64 percent were wearing helmets, many of the fatal crashes happened in cities and at intersections. Helmet use helps, but it’s not enough on its own.
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Drunk driving crashes: 283 children were killed in accidents where at least one driver was under the influence of alcohol. Even more disturbing, over half of those kids were riding in the same vehicle as the impaired driver.
Which States Report the Most Child Traffic Deaths?
Some states see far more child motor vehicle fatalities than others. These numbers reflect a mix of population size, traffic conditions, and differences in the enforcement of safety laws.
States with the highest child traffic deaths in 2022:
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Texas – 156 fatalities
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California – 97
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Florida – 89
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Georgia – 49
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North Carolina – 45
States with the lowest reported child fatalities:
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Rhode Island – 0
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New Hampshire – 2
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Idaho – 4
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Wyoming – 4
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West Virginia – 6
What’s Causing These Deaths?
The data shows that a major factor in child traffic deaths is improper use or complete lack of restraints.
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39 percent of children who died in car crashes were not properly restrained. That’s nearly 4 out of every 10 fatal cases that might have been prevented.
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Properly installed car seats can reduce the risk of death by up to 70 percent for infants and by 54 percent for toddlers.
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Seat belts are critical, too. Depending on the vehicle and the seat position, they can reduce the risk of death by 45 to 60 percent. But far too many kids move to regular seat belts before they’re big enough, which puts them at greater risk.
How Can We Reduce These Numbers?
The good news is that child traffic deaths are not inevitable. With the right tools, education, and commitment, we can save lives.
1. Make sure restraints are used properly
Car seats, booster seats, and seat belts are lifesaving tools, but only if they’re used correctly. Parents and caregivers should make sure:
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Infants and toddlers stay in rear-facing car seats as long as possible
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Children use forward-facing car seats until they outgrow them
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Booster seats are used until a child is at least 4’9” tall
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Older children wear seat belts that fit snugly across the chest and lap
2. Teach kids pedestrian and cyclist safety
Simple habits can help children stay safer near roads:
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Use crosswalks
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Look both ways before crossing
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Avoid using headphones or phones while walking or biking
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Wear reflective or bright clothing when outside near traffic
3. Enforce existing safety laws
All states have child passenger safety laws, but enforcement varies. Stronger penalties, public education, and consistency in how the laws are applied can make a big difference.
4. Supervise children closely near vehicles
Many accidents happen off the road, like in driveways, parking lots, or around school buses. Adults should:
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Always hold a child’s hand in busy areas
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Teach kids never to walk or stand behind a vehicle
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Stay alert when backing up or pulling out of driveways
These statistics are more than numbers. Each one represents a child whose life was cut short, a family left in shock, and a community that will never be the same.
Final Thoughts
Preventing child traffic deaths starts with awareness, but it can’t end there. Whether it’s proper use of a car seat, more education on road safety, or stronger laws around impaired driving, there are real solutions we can act on today.
We’re committed to helping families affected by traffic accidents and to advocating for safer roads across the country. No child should have to lose their life in a preventable crash.
Let’s work together to make safety a priority, not just a promise.
