MISUSE OF CHILD RESTRAINTS

The purpose of this study was to obtain a measure of the current level of misuse of child restraint systems (CRSs) among the general public. The project focused specifically on forms of misuse that can be expected to raise the risk of injury. CRS use and critical misuse data were collected in the Fall of 2002 for 5,527 children weighing less than the driver-estimated weight of 80 lb in 4,126 vehicles in 6 States: Arizona, Florida, Mississippi, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Washington. Results showed that 62.3% of these children were restrained in a CRS; 25.9% were restrained in a safety belt (SB); and 11.8% were unrestrained. By weight class, CRS use was 97.1% for children less than 20 lb; 86.4% for children 20 to 39 lb; 41.7% for children 40 to 59 lb; and 10.9% for children 60 to 79 lb. Overall critical CRS misuse was 72.6%. Most common critical misuses were loose harness straps securing the child to the CRS and loose vehicle SB attachment around the CRS. Other types of CRS misuses were also observed and recorded in the study. A positive relationship was found between drivers using SBs and children being restrained -- 91.7% of the children who were transported by belted drivers were restrained in either a CRS or a SB, compared to 62.3% of the children transported by unbelted drivers. Recommendations are provided for periodic monitoring of CRS misuse, research needs, and enforcement and education.

[1]  J Talty,et al.  Implementing a comprehensive child restraint program in a pediatric hospital: an effective model. , 2000, Pediatric nursing.

[2]  L E Decina,et al.  PATTERNS OF MISUSE OF CHILD SAFETY SEATS , 1996 .

[3]  Fredrick M. Streff.  Direct observation of safety belt use in Michigan: spring 1990. Final report , 1990 .

[4]  L J Molnar,et al.  Use and misuse of automobile child restraint devices. , 1992, American journal of diseases of children.

[5]  K. Arbogast,et al.  Computer crash simulations in the development of child occupant safety policies. , 2000, Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine.

[6]  C Spurlock,et al.  Improper use of child safety seats--Kentucky, 1996. , 1998, MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report.

[7]  D Glassbrenner,et al.  THE USE OF CHILD RESTRAINTS IN 2002 , 2003 .

[8]  C B Stoke.  An observational survey of safety belt and child safety seat use in Virginia: the 1990 update , 1989 .

[9]  F K Winston,et al.  Misuse of booster seats , 2000, Injury prevention : journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention.

[10]  E. K. Moll,et al.  The danger of premature graduation to seat belts for young children. , 2000, Pediatrics.

[11]  D W Eby,et al.  A statewide analysis of child safety seat use and misuse in Michigan. , 1999, Accident; analysis and prevention.

[12]  A W Block.  2000 motor vehicle occupant safety survey. Volume 5, Child safety seat report , 2002 .

[13]  L E Decina,et al.  Child safety seat misuse patterns in four states. , 1997, Accident; analysis and prevention.

[14]  A. Williams.  Observed child restraint use in automobiles. , 1976, American journal of diseases of children.

[15]  M. Kohn,et al.  Anticipatory guidance about child safety seat misuse: lessons from safety seat "checkups". , 2000, Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine.

[16]  M. Allen,et al.  Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle-to-vehicle Security Credential Management System; Request for Information , 2022 .

[17]  K N Womack.  1996 Survey of Child Restraint Use in Fourteen Texas Cities , 1996 .

[18]  E Frank,et al.  Using volunteers to survey child restraint compliance among New Hampshire drivers. , 1996, American journal of public health.

[19]  K Weber,et al.  CRASH PROTECTION FOR CHILD PASSENGERS: A REVIEW OF BEST PRACTICE , 2000 .

[20]  M. Bull,et al.  Misuse of car safety seats. , 1988, Pediatrics.