Deaths from injury and poisoning of children in Liverpool: a ten-year survey 1978-1987.

Deaths of children in Liverpool under 16 years of age from injury and poisoning were examined for the period 1978-1987: 174 deaths occurred during the 10-year period. The commonest causes of death were road traffic accidents: 103 cases (60%). Of these 87 were of pedestrians struck by vehicles. Many of these children were very young and were unsupervised, or poorly supervised by other children. Drivers of vehicles were largely responsible for the accidents in 20 cases. The ability of children to cope in various traffic situations is discussed and responsibilities of parents and drivers are considered in relation to matters of accident prevention.