The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that vehicular crash deaths among children 12 years and below have decreased by 43 percent from 2002-2011 and better car safety measures have apparently helped drive the decline. Health officials cite increased use of car seats and booster seats to have helped reduce the number of traffic-related child accidents in the U.S.

CDC researchers used data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to determine the number of children 12 years and below who died in car crashes from 2002 to 2011. They found there were 9,182 children who died from car crash during this period, albeit the number declined from 2.2 deaths per 100,000 people in 2002 to 1.2 deaths per 100,000 in 2011.

Still, the CDC said there is more to be done despite the encouraging figures. "We have made a lot of progress in reducing motor vehicle fatalities in the U.S. in the past decade, but still there are far too many deaths," said CDC Director Thomas Frieden. "These are troubling numbers, especially since so many of these deaths could have been prevented by buckling children in age- and size-appropriate child restraints -- car seats, booster seats and seat belts -- on every trip."

In its Vital Signs report, the CDC said that a third of the children who died in car accidents were not buckled up. "One in 3 children who died in crashes in 2011 was not buckled up." the report read. "Almost half of all black (45%) and Hispanic (46%) children who died in crashes were not buckled up (2009 - 2010)."

The agency said that buckling up is the best way to prevent unnecessary injury and loss of lives, and suggested ways for parents and caregivers to keep children safe on the road.

"Parents and caregivers play an important role in keeping children safe in the car," said Daniel Sosin, acting director of CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. "Children often imitate their parents; so it's important that parents model safe behavior and buckle up on every trip. Parents also should always buckle children in age- and size-appropriate car seats, booster seats and, seat belts."