Abstract Introduction Field studies show that top tethers go unused in half of forward-facing child restraint installations. Method In this study, parent volunteers were asked to use the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) to install child restraints in several vehicles to identify tether anchor characteristics that are associated with tether use. Thirty-seven volunteers were assigned to four groups. Each group tested two forward-facing child restraints in four of 16 vehicle models. Logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of tether use and correct use. Results Subjects used the tether in 89% of the 294 forward-facing child restraint installations and attached the tether correctly in 57% of the installations. Tethers were more likely to be used when the anchor was located on the rear deck as typically found in sedans compared with the seatback, floor, or roof. Tethers were less likely to be attached correctly when there was potentially confusing hardware present. No vehicle tether hardware characteristics or vehicle manual directions were associated specifically with correct tether routing and head restraint position. Conclusion This study provides laboratory evidence that specific vehicle features are associated with tether use and correct use. Practical applications Modifications to vehicles that make tether anchors easier to find and identify likely will result in increases in tether use and correct use.

    Highlights Tether anchors on the rear deck of sedans were associated with increases in tether use and correct use. In other vehicle types, tethers were more likely to be used correctly when the anchor was in the middle of the seatback. The presence of potentially confusing hardware reduced the likelihood of tether use and correct use.


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    Title :

    Factors affecting tether use and correct use in child restraint installations



    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2014-09-25


    Size :

    10 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English





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