The study combined direct observation of child restraint use with interview and mail questionnaire methods to measure prevalence of incorrect restraint practices and factors related to use of child restraint devices and seat belts for children under the age of four. Trained observers carefully assessed multiple dimensions of appropriate or inappropriate restraint practices for a sample of motorists entering fast-food parking lots in Michigan. On-site interviews and follow-up questionanaires measured sociodemographic, attitudinal, belief, and behavioral characteristics related to restraint use. Ninety-two percent of infants under age 1 and 55% of children age one to three were traveling in a child safety seat. Public support for the mandatory child restraint law is very high--nine out of ten believe it should be strictly enforced. Incorrect use of child restraint devices is a major problem--63% of all devices observed were used incorrectly. Child restraint use was lower than average among motorists who: (1) had low family incomes, (2) were not currently married, (3) were of nonwhite ethnic backgrounds, and (4) were over the age of 40.
Correlates of Child Restraint Use
1986
300 pages
Report
No indication
English