Over the period studied, 99 children aged 0\u20136 years died as car occupants in Sweden. In Sweden, fatalities have decreased over time, but the material highlights a key issue: many deaths occurred when children were not protected according to recommendations or were not restrained in a proper car seat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sweden is a global leader in traffic safety, built on Vision Zero and strict regulations. In our report \u201cChild safety in cars\u201d<\/a>, we found that 84% of children up to four years travel rear-facing, in contrast to the UK where only 22 % of 2-3 years old travel rear-facing. Even with Sweden\u2019s high rear-facing rate (84%), these outcomes still occur. That\u2019s why this study matters: the biggest safety gains are found in the remaining gaps in correct and long rear-facing use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Real-world data shows that nearly half of all fatal crashes involving toddlers could have had a different outcome. <\/p>\n\n\n For children aged 0\u20133<\/strong>, Folksam\u2019s data highlights a clear safety gap in real-world use. Many of the children who died were not<\/strong> travelling rear-facing as recommended, and a significant share were either turned forward too early or not restrained at all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Among children under four who were in a forward-facing seat, Folksam estimates that 12 out of 19 (63%) could have survived if they had been rear-facing instead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For children aged 4\u20136 years old, the data is clear: rear-facing wasn\u2019t used in a single fatal case, <\/strong>even though many of these children were still small enough, that rear-facing could have made a difference. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The clearest preventable risk in the material is switching too soon. For small children, rear-facing provides the best support for the head, neck, and spine in the crash types most often linked to severe outcomes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n At Axkid, we recommend rear-facing travel until your child reaches around 125 cm and approximately seven years old, depending on the seat and the child. It\u2019s not about reaching a specific age. It\u2019s about reaching the size and maturity where the body can handle crash forces better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are unsure about when it is time to transition to a forward-facing car seat, see our guidelines here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taken together, the findings underline how critical correct restraint use is in protecting young children in car crashes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We can\u2019t change the past. But the evidence is clear; we can help more children travel rear-facing for longer, and safer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n *Source:<\/strong>\u00a0Folksam. CRS usage in fatal car crashes in Sweden<\/em>. 2025. Read full report here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The numbers are clear: rear-facing saves lives<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"statistics](\"https:\/\/axkid.com\/app\/uploads\/Statistics_Folksam-report_2025-2026-2.png\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nChildren 0-3 years <\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Children 4-6 years<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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![\"statistics](\"https:\/\/axkid.com\/app\/uploads\/Statistics_Folksam-report_2025-20264.png\")
<\/div>\n![\"statistics](\"https:\/\/axkid.com\/app\/uploads\/Statistics_Folksam-report_2025-2026-3.png\")
<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nThe most preventable risk: turning forward too early<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Key takeaways from the report<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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![\"footer](\"https:\/\/axkid.com\/app\/uploads\/Footer_Boy-in-rear-facing-car-seat-Axkid-One-3.png\")
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