Transportation injuries are the fourth leading cause of injuries seen at emergency departments and the second leading cause of injury death. In 2022, 36,971 Albertans were seen at emergency departments for transportation injuries. These include people injured as pedestrians, cyclists, motor vehicle drivers and passengers as well as other forms of transportation. Transportation injuries are preventable - a variety of transportation safety resources are available.
Infants & Young Children – Key Messages
- Proper use of a car seat reduces the likelihood of a child being injured or killed in a crash. Encourage your client to learn more about child passenger safety to make sure their child is safely buckled up. Read more, visit Child Passenger Safety.
School Age Children – Key Messages
- Use a booster seat for children while traveling. Once a child reaches the maximum weight or height limit of their forward-facing car seat, as stated by the manufacturer, he/she can move into a booster seat. Read more, visit Booster Seats.
- Travel by school bus is one of the safest modes of transportation. The biggest risk to school bus passengers is during the loading and unloading of the bus. Help your client learn about school bus safety. Read more, visit School Bus Safety.
- Injuries related to bike and wheeled recreation are especially high when physical and cognitive development, environmental risks, and skill level are not appropriately managed. Read more, visit Bike & Wheeled Recreation Safety.
- Educating children about pedestrian safety should begin at a young age and continue until they are in their early teens. Read more, visit Preventing Child Pedestrian Injuries.
Youth – Key Messages
- Motor vehicle injuries are the leading cause of unintentional injury for youth in Alberta. Encourage your clients to create a dialogue with their teens to help keep them safe on the road. Read more, visit Motor Vehicle Safety.
- Children and youth under 16 do not have the strength, skill, or decision-making abilities to operate ATVs or snowmobiles safely. Read more, visit Off Road Vehicles.
