OBJECTIVES: Identify factors that predict restraint use and optimal restraint use among children aged 0 to 13 years.
METHODS: The dataset is a national sample of police-reported crashes for years 2010-2014 in which type of child restraint is recorded. The dataset was supplemented with demographic census data linked by driver zip code, as well as a score for the state child restraint law during the year of the crash relative to best practice recommendations for protecting child occupants. Analysis used linear regression techniques.
RESULTS: The main predictor of unrestrained child occupants was the presence of an unrestrained driver. Among restrained children, children had 1.66 (95% CI: 1.27, 2.17) times higher odds of using the recommended type of restraint system if the state law at the time of the crash included requirements based on best practice recommendations.
CONCLUSIONS: Children are more likely to ride in the recommended type of child restraint when their state child restraint law includes wording that follows best practice recommendations for child occupant protection. However, state child restraint law requirements do not influence when caregivers fail to use an occupant restraint for their child passengers.
Language: en
Keywords
child passengers; child restraint; legislation; seat belt