Risk Factors for Unintentional Injury Emergency Department Visits

Risk Factors

Many children who ride in child safety seats are improperly secured and restraint use among young children often depends upon the driver's restraint use. Child restraint systems are often used incorrectly. One study found that 72% of nearly 3,500 observed child restraint systems were misused in a way that could be expected to increase a child's risk of injury during a crash. Compared with other age groups, teens have the lowest rate of seat belt use and are more likely than older drivers to underestimate or not be able to recognize hazardous situations. Age-related decreases in vision, hearing, cognitive functions, and physical impairments may affect some older adults' driving ability. Some risk factors that contribute to falls among older adults are lower body weakness, problems with walking and balance, and taking four or more medications. Source: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control