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Abstract

Commentary piece. Side-impact crashes are more dangerous for children and represent a challenge to injury prevention efforts. A recent study found that significant injury occurred in 41% of side-impact crashes, 15% of frontal impacts, and 3% of rear impacts involving child occupants. In addition, other studies have reported child mortality rates of 30% for side-impact crashes and 17% for frontal-impact crashes. Because of the large size of the head in relation to the rest of the body, a child's head and neck are more vulnerable than those of an adult. Children have more head surface area and a lower-seated height, both of which increase the risk of contact with the interior door panel or pillars during side-impact crashes.