More than three-quarters of children under 15 who died in car crashes were not wearing seat-belts or in child restraints.
The finding is contained in a five-year study published by the National Safety Council.
The study examined fatalities between 1996-2000 and found that 69 children had died and 77% were not strapped in as they should be.
The National Safety Council's Chief Executive, Pat Costello, warned drivers that a 30mph crash results in a child being thrown forward with a force of 30 to 60 times their body weight.
Mr Costello called on all children travelling in cars to be appropriately restrained.
