When people think about car accidents involving children, they often picture busy highways or high-speed crashes. But for Louisiana families, the biggest dangers are much closer to home — in driveways, parking lots, neighborhoods, and school zones where children walk, ride bikes, or wait for the bus.
Nationwide, car crashes kill an average of three children and injure more than 440 every day, according to the 2023 Child Traffic Safety Facts from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Hundreds more are injured each year in non-traffic incidents like backovers, frontovers, or rollaway crashes — often in the very places we feel safest.
Why Kids Are Especially at Risk
Children are more vulnerable around vehicles because of their smaller size, limited visibility, and developing sense of judgment. Drivers may not see a child behind or beside the car, and children often don’t realize how dangerous a slow-moving vehicle can be.
The World Health Organization notes that most roadways and vehicle environments aren’t designed with children in mind. That’s why parents, caregivers, and drivers must take extra precautions — whether they’re heading to school drop-off or backing out of a driveway.
10 Ways to Protect Children In and Around Vehicles
The good news is that these tragedies are largely preventable. Small changes in habits can go a long way to keeping kids safe in and out of your car.
- Check before you back up.
Backover crashes cause about 210 deaths and 15,000 injuries every year, many involving children under age five. Always take a full walk around your car before moving, and use your mirrors and backup cameras to confirm the area is clear. - Use the right car seat — and install it properly.
This video from the National Safety Council shows that about 65% of car seats are installed incorrectly. Follow your car seat’s instructions carefully, and visit an NHTSA-certified inspection station for help. Many Louisiana fire departments and hospitals offer this service free of charge. - Seatbelts for all passengers.
Make buckling up non-negotiable. Kids are more likely to wear seatbelts when they see adults do the same. - Keep kids 12 and under in the back seat.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends children under 13 always ride in the back seat. It’s the safest place in case of a collision or airbag deployment. - Never leave a child alone in a vehicle.
From 1990 to 2024, 46 children have died in Louisiana after being left in a hot car, according to Kids and Car Safety. Even mild weather can pose risks. A car’s temperature can climb quickly, and unattended children can accidentally shift the car into gear or become trapped. Always lock your car and keep keys out of reach. - Prevent rollaway and entrapment accidents.
Always engage the parking brake and never leave a running vehicle unattended. Teach kids that trunks and cars are not play spaces. - Follow state car seat laws — but aim higher than the minimum.
Louisiana law requires children under 13 to ride in the back seat properly restrained and mandates specific seat types based on age and weight. But laws are only the starting point. Experts encourage parents to follow best-practice recommendations, even after a child outgrows the legal requirements. - Drive defensively — especially in school zones and neighborhoods.
Obey the speed limit, come to complete stops, and eliminate distractions. Louisiana’s hands-free law prohibits holding or using a cell phone while driving (with limited exceptions) — a critical safeguard to prevent distracted driving injuries. - Teach kids pedestrian and bike safety.
Show children how to cross the street safely: look left, right, and left again; use crosswalks; and make eye contact with drivers before stepping off the curb. Kids riding bikes should always wear helmets and ride on the right side of the road, in the same direction as traffic. - Review school bus safety.
If your child rides the bus, remind them to stand at least 10 feet from the road while waiting and to cross only after the driver signals it’s safe. Always stop for flashing red lights and extended stop signs — it’s not only the law, it’s a child’s life at stake.
In communities across Louisiana, neighborhoods thrive when everyone looks out for one another. Drivers can make a difference simply by slowing down, staying alert, and practicing good habits every day.
Parents can also set powerful examples for their children by demonstrating consistent safety practices, like buckling up, using proper car seats, and following the rules of the road. These small habits send a big message about care, responsibility, and respect for others on the road.
And if your family has been impacted by a vehicle-related injury caused by another driver’s negligence or unsafe conditions, and you would like to discuss the details of your case in a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer, please contact us today.