When children ride with drunken drivers

Between 1997 and 2002, 68 percent of U.S. children killed in alcohol-related crashes were riding in the same vehicle as the drunken driver. These children were less likely to be properly restrained than children who died in crashes that did not involve alcohol. Strong enforcement of impaired-driving laws, child safety seat laws, and safety belt laws could further reduce child passenger deaths.

Worldwide, 1.2 million people die each year from road traffic-related injuries. Developing countries suffer the greatest losses, but the United States alone loses more than 40,000 people to motor vehicle...