Every year, thousands of children in the U.S. are killed or injured in car crashes, turning routine commutes into life-altering tragedies. While road safety continues to be a national focus, the data tells a sobering story: in 2022, 1,129 children under 14 died in motor vehicle crashes, making up 2.7% of all traffic deaths. Even more alarming, 156,000 children were injured, many due to entirely preventable causes.
At The Fitch Law Firm, we see the devastating impact of these incidents firsthand. This isn’t just a statistic, it’s a call to action.
When and Where Are Children Most at Risk?
Patterns in child traffic fatalities reveal key risk factors that demand targeted intervention:
- Pedestrian Dangers: 188 children were killed walking in 2022. A majority of these deaths (76%) occurred in urban areas, often during after-school hours between 3 and 6 p.m.
- Hit-and-Run Tragedies: 1 in 5 child pedestrian deaths involved a hit-and-run—highlighting the danger of reckless drivers fleeing responsibility.
- Bike Fatalities: Of the 56 children who died while cycling, most were wearing helmets. But nearly all of these deaths occurred in cities, often at intersections, showing that helmets alone aren’t enough.
- Drunk Driving: 283 children were killed in crashes involving an impaired driver. Heartbreakingly, over half of these kids were passengers in the car with the drunk driver.
The Most Dangerous States for Kids on the Road
Some states saw a disproportionate number of child traffic deaths in 2022:
Top 5 States for Child Fatalities:
- Texas – 156 deaths
- California – 97 deaths
- Florida – 89 deaths
- Georgia – 49 deaths
- North Carolina – 45 deaths
Lowest Reported Child Fatalities:
- Rhode Island – 0
- New Hampshire – 2
- Idaho – 4
- Wyoming – 4
- West Virginia – 6
Larger, high-traffic states tend to report more fatalities, but low numbers in smaller states prove that stronger safety policies and public awareness can make a real difference.
Why Are So Many of These Deaths Preventable?
One of the most critical takeaways from the data is this: 39% of children who died in crashes were unrestrained. That means nearly 4 out of 10 young lives might have been saved with proper safety restraints.
- Car seats cut the risk of fatal injury by 70% for infants and 54% for toddlers.
- Booster seats provide vital protection for children who have outgrown car seats but are not yet ready for seat belts.
- Seat belts lower fatality risk by 45–60%, depending on seating and vehicle type.
Yet far too many children are unbuckled or improperly secured when tragedy strikes.
How We Can Protect Kids on the Road
These deaths aren’t inevitable. They’re preventable—with the right action:
- Correct Child Restraint Use
- Infants and toddlers: Rear-facing car seats
- Ages 2–7: Forward-facing seats
- Ages 4–8: Booster seats until reaching 4’9″
- Older kids: Seat belts only when they properly fit
- Teach Pedestrian and Biking Safety
- Cross at marked intersections
- Avoid phones and headphones when near traffic
- Wear reflective or bright clothing for visibility
- Enforce and Strengthen Safety Laws
- All 50 states have child restraint laws—but not all are enforced equally. Stronger enforcement saves lives.
- Increase Supervision in High-Risk Areas
- Parking lots, driveways, and school zones are frequent danger zones. Close adult supervision can make a life-saving difference.
A Shared Responsibility
Every number in this report represents a child whose life was cut short and a family changed forever. At The Fitch Law Firm, we believe it’s time to move from awareness to action. Whether it’s better public education, stronger laws, or more responsible driving, we all have a role to play in keeping kids safe.
No child should die from a preventable crash. And no parent should suffer that loss. Let’s work together to make our roads safer for everyone.
