Motor Vehicle Occupant Safety

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In California, car crashes are the number one cause of injury-related fatalities for children and adolescents between the ages of 5 to 19, and the second leading cause of injury-related fatalities for children under the age of five. While child restraint systems are a reliable source of protection, they are often used incorrectly, putting the young passengers at risk for injury or death.

Risks associated with teen drivers are very different than for younger children. Often, teen drivers are learning their driving behaviors and safety procedures from their caregivers and peers, many of whom do not practice or teach driving correctly. Furthermore, the traffic safety community has become increasingly concerned about teen drivers and passengers because of their risk-taking behaviors while driving or riding.

California Department of Public Health’s Vehicle Occupant Safety Program

Since many motor vehicle-related injuries are preventable, California's Vehicle Occupant Safety Program (VOSP) strives to increase the use and correct the misuse of child safety seats for children under the age of eight. With grant support from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), VOSP works to develop child passenger safety educational programs that benefit the public, particularly those that target high risk and low-income families. For more information, please visit the California Vehicle Occupant Safety Program.

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