Motor vehicle traffic collisions are the number one cause of death for every age 4 through 33 years of age. This statistic is a result of extensive research and is published on the chart titled, "Top 10 Leading Causes of Death in the United States."
The source for the statistics is the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Center for Disease Control (CDC), Mortality Data 2001. Causes of death classifications are based on the National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA) Revised 68 cause of Death listings. Unintentional injuries were separated out into classifications of death, such as motor vehicle traffic crashes, accidental falls, motor vehicle accidents that are not traffic related, and other classifications. In 2001, motor vehicle collisions killed:
•139 infants less than one year of age
•421 toddlers one to three years
•533 children four to seven years
•829 children 8-15 years
•A startling number of youth 16-20 years of age were killed, totaling 5,979.
•The number of young adults 20-21 years of age killed was 4,136.
•The number of adults 25 through 33 years of age killed was 6,759.
•For ages 35 to 44, motor vehicle traffic collision fatalities numbered 6,891.
•Motor vehicle collisions accounted for 8,750 deaths for persons aged 45 to 64.
Please check with NCHS, NCSA, or local, state or federal sources for further information.
Due to the unacceptably high incidence of traffic collisions involving serious injuries or death to children that occur throughout the year, child passenger safety and proper use of child restraints are part of the Traffic Education-Enforcement Calendar for the Month of November. The National Highway Transportation Safety Association's Operation America Buckles-Up Children ('ABC”) Mobilization is one of the traffic enforcement priorities for West Traffic Division officers. Child passenger restraints have been developed to help decrease injuries and deaths and increase the chance for the child’s survival when involved in a traffic collision. Because use of child restraints is so vital, a unit of officers assigned to Community Traffic Services Unit (CTSU) conducts special educational programs and provides child restraint devices to lower income families. If you have traffic safety concerns in a particular area, you may contact CTSU at 213-473-0215 or West Traffic Division at 213-473-0222 to voice your concerns. Also, please see CTSU's Web Page under the "About West Traffic" heading, listed on the West Traffic Division Newsletter Web Page.
Sections 27360 and 27360.5 of the California Vehicle Code (CVC) establish the requirements for child passenger restraints. Years ago, Section 27360 CVC was amended to require each child transported in a vehicle less than six years old or under 60 pounds to be secured in a child safety seat or booster seat. If the child is not yet six years old or does not weigh at least 60 pounds, he or she must be properly secured in a child safety seat or booster seat, whichever restraint system fits the child. Never use a booster seat that has been in an accident, as the seat may have defects that are not visible.
Section 27360.5 CVC requires that a child transported in a vehicle who weighs more than 60 pounds or who is at least six but under 16 years of age, shall use a safety belt or be in an appropriate passenger restraint system which meets applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards.
In addition, Section 15600 CVC, and CVC Division 6.7 established Kaitlyn’s Law, which prohibits leaving a child six years of age or under in a motor vehicle if there are conditions that present a risk. These risks include, but are not limited to; closed windows on a hot day, the engine left running, or if the key is left in the ignition. The primary purpose of this law is to prevent injuries to children from the effects of being left alone in a vehicle.
The areas within Operations-West Bureau and West Traffic Division are Hollywood Area, Wilshire Area, Pacific Area, West Los Angeles Area, and Olympic Area. Any of the geographical areas' WebPages can be accessed via LAPDOnline. Please check the Crime Prevention Circular for the areas that are of particular interest to you.
NANCY D. LAUER, Captain Commanding Officer West Traffic Division
Traffic Tips
*Look both ways twice before crossing the street.
*Wear your seatbelt and properly secure your children.
*Don’t drink and drive.
*Please slow down. Speed kills.
west bureau 
