Identifying Strategies to Reduce the Percentage of Unrestrained Young Children

摘要

The purpose of this study was to explore the factors that contribute to nonuse of occupant restraints by children 5 through 7 years of age riding in motor vehicles, and to identify strategies to increase restraint use in this age group. The appropriate restraint for most of these children, based on their size, would be booster seats. Research activities conducted for this study were a literature review, discussions with key informants, a brainstorming session with experts, and focus groups with parents and other caregivers. The prevalence of unrestrained children in this age group varied across observation studies identified in the literature review. Key informants, experts in the field, and parents and other caregivers provided many reasons why drivers do not restrain these children. Reasons included low perceived risk (low crash and injury threat), lack of understanding that booster seats prevent injury, ignorance of the booster seat law, the perception that violations of the child restraint law are not enforced, inconvenience, parental permissiveness, and situational factors.