Motor vehicle accidents remain one of the leading causes of death for children. Although there are many variables on the road—reckless drivers and inclement weather—there are proven ways to reduce the chances of injury and death. Use caution when driving and take advantage of safety measures to help your kids stay safe.

Seat belts are life savers

Of the 2,885 children that died in car accidents between 2010 and 2014, 43% of them were either not wearing seatbelts or otherwise were improperly restrained. Kids always need to be buckled up correctly, either in a car seat appropriate for their height and weight or with a seatbelt fastened securely across their chest and lap.

Tennessee law dictates the exact requirements for each age group. For example, children under the age of one (or under 20 pounds) must be secured in the back seat in a rear-facing car seat. Everyone, parents included, should be wearing a seatbelt. It’s a proven fact that seatbelts save lives—more than 15,000 deaths are prevented each year by proper safety belt usage, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Seat belts help in a number of ways. They protect children from being thrown from a car in the event of a serious crash. They will protect a child from hitting their head or other body part on a hard surface of the vehicle and keep the head and neck safe from brain and spinal cord injuries. The purpose of a seat belt is to keep your body in place during a sudden jolt or blow, thus protecting vital body parts and organs from damage.

More precautions you can take

In addition to being properly restrained, it is recommended that children under 12 sit in the backseat. Of the 2,885 kids we mentioned earlier, 15% were incorrectly sitting in the front seat. The research also showed that a shocking 13% of these children died because the driver was operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Drinking and driving can harm the passengers in your vehicle as well as other drivers on the road, so avoid consuming any amount of alcohol before getting behind the wheel.

Additionally, 67 child car accident deaths happened on rural roads. These winding, sometimes poorly lit roadways can be particularly hazardous to drivers unfamiliar with them. When driving on a rural road, use your high beams unless another car is coming towards you or if you are directly behind another car. Never speed, and watch for animals, such as deer or wandering livestock.

At Delius & McKenzie, PLLC, our Sevierville car crash attorneys help families who have lost loved ones in motor vehicle accidents. We understand how devastating a sudden loss can be. We are here to help you rebuild your life and heal from this traumatic event. To arrange your free initial consultation, give our office a call at (865) 428-8780 or complete a contact form. We help residents of Gatlinburg, Seymour, Pigeon Forge, and the nearby regions.