NHTSA Safety in Numbers: With most children on summer vacation, and traveling more in vehicles, it is more important to make sure they're always properly restrained

School May Be Out, But Safety Always In Session

June 17: It's vacation time, and with children likely traveling more in vehicles than during the school year, it's more important to make sure they're properly restrained. Here's why: In 2011, 4,953 passenger vehicle occupants age 14 and younger were involved in fatal crashes. For these children fatally injured, 41 percent were unrestrained.
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NHTSA Hosting Public Session on Data Modernization ( DataMod ) Project

NHTSA To Host July 18
Public Session on
Data Modernization

June 17: As NHTSA works to modernize the National Automotive Sampling System, it will be soliciting additional input on the data elements and collection methodology for the new system. This public listening session, from 1-5pm ET at DOT Headquarters, is an opportunity for stakeholders, researchers, industry experts and the general public to make specific suggestions. Registration is required. Read More

Before you hit the road, check out NHTSA's interactive Summer Driving Tips

Before You Hit The Road This Summer, Test Drive Our Interactive Tips

June 5: Whatever your vacation getaway plans may be, take time to review some Summer road travel safety tips before you hit the highways. Prevention and planning are much easier than dealing with the consequences of a breakdown or, worse, a crash. Read More

NHTSA Hosts Vehicle
Mass-Size-Safety
Two-Day Workshop

The May 13-14 event focused on issues related to fuel economy, vehicle mass reduction and the effects of vehicle mass and size on vehicle safety. Catch up on the available reports and presentations delivered at the workshop through the following link: Read More

Image of safercar mobile app main page and menu page

NHTSA Unveils Free
'SaferCar' Mobile App

App for Apple devices will provide real-time vehicle safety information from NHTSA's SaferCar.gov site. Users will be able to search 5-Star Safety Ratings for vehicles by make and model, file vehicle safety complaints, locate car seat installation help, find recall information and subscribe to automatic notices about vehicle recalls. Read More

Image of Playing It Safe child safety brochure

Check Out 'A Parent's Guide To Playing It Safe With Kids And Cars'

Did you know 3 out of every 4 car seats are used incorrectly? The consequences can be devastating. In fact, vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death for children between 1 and 13 years old. Read More

Sign Up Now to Get
Email Recall Alerts
For Your Vehicles

NHTSA has made it easier and faster to receive important email alerts on recalls for up to 5 vehicles. You can also subscribe for alerts on recalls for child seats and tires. Read More

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Key Issues

Recent Research & Data

Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities in 2012 Summary, This Research Note provides a statistical projection of traffic fatalities which estimates 34,080 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2012. This represents an increase of about 5.3 percent as compared to the 32,367 fatalities that occurred in 2011. If these projections are realized, 2012 will be first year with a year-to-year increase in fatalities since 2005.
2011 Traffic Safety Fact Sheet: "Children", During 2011, there were a total of 32,367 traffic fatalities in the United States. The 14-and-younger age group accounted for 1,140 (4%) of those traffic fatalities, which is a 6-percent decrease from the 1,211 fatalities in 2010. In 2011, there were 171,000 children age 14 and younger injured, which remained the same as in 2010.

2011 Traffic Safety Fact Sheets "Overview", Motor vehicle travel is the primary means of transportation in the United States, providing an unprecedented degree of mobility. Yet for all its advantages, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for age 4 and every age 11 through 27 (based on 2009 data). This fact sheet contains an overview of FARS/GES data including, but not limited to, alcohol, occupants, restraint use, driver’s involved, speeding involvement, motorcycles, large trucks, passenger vehicles, older and younger population data, children pedestrians, pedalcyclists and much more are available in this fact sheet.