NCPD Emphasizes Child Passenger Safety This Week

National data for 2024 show an average of two children under 14 killed and 349 injured each day in passenger-vehicle crashes, with 677 children killed and more than 127,000 injured for the year; 39% of children (14 and younger) who died were unrestrained. Car seats cut the risk of fatal injury in passenger cars by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers 1–4 (58% and 59% respectively in light trucks), and NHTSA estimates child restraints have saved 11,606 children under 5 since 1975. The North Charleston Police Department reminds drivers they are responsible for operating vehicles safely and urges: "Buckle up, South Carolina. Every trip. Every time."