Child Passenger Safety (CPS) in California
About the Vehicle Occupant Safety Program (VOSP)
In California, unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death and hospitalization among children under age 16. With over 36 million vehicles, and over 300,000 thousand miles of roadway, virtually every one of California's 9 million young people are routinely exposed to traffic-related injury, disability, and death. Motor vehicle occupant injuries are among the top five causes of both death and hospitalization among children under age 16. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that, controlling for driver seat belt use and the child's seating position, child restraints are 71% effective in reducing fatality among infants and 54% effective among children aged one to four in passenger cars.
Motor vehicle-related injuries are preventable, yet motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of death and disability for children. In California, on average 189 children aged four years and younger were hospitalized per year because of motor vehicle occupant injuries. Nationally, a total of 3,469 child occupants aged 0-19 were fatally injured in MVCs in 2021. VOSP, part of the IVP Branch of CDPH, strives to prevent injuries and deaths to infants and toddlers in California by increasing the use, and correcting misuse, of child safety seats.
VOSP works closely with the following agencies to develop CPS educational programs that benefit low-income families:ā
During the past several years, VOSP has successfully developed a statewide CPS network. VOSP, in collaboration with numerous partners and the statewide network, provides the coordination to support services that protect children and families. Via this coordination VOSP supports:
- agencies across the state who caāān jointly advocate for stronger policies.
- work towards changing organizational practices of hospitals, birthing centers, and clinics.
- partner with public health departments, law enforcement, non-profits, local government agencies, EMS/fire, childcare, education, and other advocates.
- develop stronger local coalitions and networks.
- receive and provide consistent, accurate, and up-to-date information and data, messages, and education.
- and conduct program evaluation.
āVOSP aims to prevent unnecessary death and disability to California's children by strengthening and expanding California's CPS infrastructure. These efforts are made possible with funding and support from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). We hope you find this website helpful and encourage you to contact us directly for additional assistance at VOSP@cdph.ca.gov.