Childhood motor vehicle occupant injuries.

Motor vehicle occupant trauma is the major cause of mortality among the pediatric population. The mortality rate for adolescents is approximately 10 times that of the younger age groups. Despite enactment of child passenger safety laws in all states and mandatory seat belt use laws in two thirds of the states, mortality rates have not decreased to the extent expected. Additional interventions targeted at the adolescent driver, substance use and driving, and improved occupant protection for all children will be required to further decrease occupant trauma. Lack of comprehensive trauma data is a major roadblock to the calculation of morbidity and disability rates.