Swedish study reveals: Rear-facing saves lives

A landmark study by Swedish insurer Folksam has analysed every fatal car crash in Sweden involving a child aged 0–6 years between 1992 and 2024 - and the findings are impossible to ignore. The research examined how children were restrained at the time of impact and assessed what might have changed the outcome. For children aged 0–3, nearly half of all fatalities were assessed as potentially survivable had the child been travelling rear-facing. Among those who were forward-facing despite being under four years old, an estimated 63% may have survived in a rear-facing seat. For children aged 4–6, not a single fatally injured child was travelling rear-facing - and more than one in four were still within a size range where rear-facing could have made a difference. The study's conclusion is stark: correct rear-facing use could potentially have changed the outcome in more than one in three fatal child occupant crashes. Here in the UK, the contrast with Sweden is sobering. While 84% of Swedish children up to four years old travel rear-facing, that figure drops to just 22% for 2–3 year olds in the UK. The evidence for keeping children rear-facing for longer has never been stronger - and this study, drawn from the hardest real-world data available, makes the case more powerfully than ever. At Little Peas, extended rear-facing has been at the heart of what we do for over 15 years. We stock a carefully selected range of Axkid rear-facing car seats, chosen precisely because of the safety credentials behind them. If you'd like help choosing the right seat for your child, visit us in our Dunfermline showroom or get in touch — we're always happy to help.

20 March 2026

Folksam have conducted a study that looks at the toughest data there is: every fatal car crash in Sweden involving a child aged 0–6 years, across 1992–2024. Based on in-depth crash investigations, it shows how children were restrained, what happened in the impact, and what could have changed the outcome.

Real-world data from Sweden

Over the period studied, 99 children aged 0–6 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.

Sweden is a global leader in traffic safety, built on Vision Zero and strict regulations. In our report “Child safety in cars”, 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’s high rear-facing rate (84%), these outcomes still occur. That’s why this study matters: the biggest safety gains are found in the remaining gaps in correct and long rear-facing use.

The numbers are clear: rear-facing saves lives

Real-world data shows that nearly half of all fatal crashes involving toddlers could have had a different outcome.

Children 0-3 years

For children aged 0–3, Folksam’s data highlights a clear safety gap in real-world use. Many of the children who died were not travelling rear-facing as recommended, and a significant share were either turned forward too early or not restrained at all.

69% were not travelling according to recommendations (rear-facing to at least 4 years old).

Only 28% were in a rear-facing seat, while 34% were forward-facing, and 33% were unrestrained.

Nearly half (up to approximately 48%) of fatalities were assessed as potentially survivable with rear-facing.

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.

Children 4-6 years

For children aged 4–6 years old, the data is clear: rear-facing wasn’t used in a single fatal case, even though many of these children were still small enough, that rear-facing could have made a difference.

None of the fatally injured children aged 4–6 were travelling rear-facing.

More than one in four (more than 25%) were still within a size range where rear-facing could have made a difference and were assessed as likely or potentially survivable with rear-facing.

68% were restrained (44% in a forward-facing car seats, 24% with seatbelt only)

The most preventable risk: turning forward too early

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.

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’s not about reaching a specific age. It’s about reaching the size and maturity where the body can handle crash forces better.

Key takeaways from the report

Taken together, the findings underline how critical correct restraint use is in protecting young children in car crashes.

Nearly half (up to approximately 48%) of fatalities for children aged 0-3 were assessed as potentially survivable with rear-facing.
More than one in four (25%) of children aged 4-6 years old were still within a size range where rear-facing could have made a difference.
Correct rear-facing use could potentially have changed outcomes in over 1 in 3 fatal child occupant crashes (0–6).