OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of child safety seats and lap-shoulder belts in rear passenger vehicle seats for 2- to 3-year-old crash survivors. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: The January 1, 1998, to December 31, 2004, US data on a nationally representative sample of crashes that resulted in at least 1 vehicle being towed away. PARTICIPANTS: Toddlers who were sitting in rear vehicle seats and using lap-shoulder belts or child seats when involved in highway crashes. INTERVENTION: Child safety seat vs safety belt. OUTCOME MEASURE: Presence of any injury after a crash. RESULTS: The adjusted odds of injury were 81.8% lower (95% confidence interval, 58.3%-92.1% lower) for toddlers in child seats than belted toddlers. CONCLUSIONS: Child safety seats seem to be more effective rear seat restraints than lap-shoulder safety belts for children aged 2 to 3 years. Laws requiring that children younger than 4 years travel in child safety seats have a sound basis and should remain in force.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of child safety seats and lap-shoulder belts in rear passenger vehicle seats for 2- to 3-year-old crash survivors. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: The January 1, 1998, to December 31, 2004, US data on a nationally representative sample of crashes that resulted in at least 1 vehicle being towed away. PARTICIPANTS: Toddlers who were sitting in rear vehicle seats and using lap-shoulder belts or child seats when involved in highway crashes. INTERVENTION: Child safety seat vs safety belt. OUTCOME MEASURE: Presence of any injury after a crash. RESULTS: The adjusted odds of injury were 81.8% lower (95% confidence interval, 58.3%-92.1% lower) for toddlers in child seats than belted toddlers. CONCLUSIONS:Child safety seats seem to be more effective rear seat restraints than lap-shoulder safety belts for children aged 2 to 3 years. Laws requiring that children younger than 4 years travel in child safety seats have a sound basis and should remain in force.
Authors: Lisa Keay; Kate Hunter; Julie Brown; Judy M Simpson; Lynne E Bilston; Maureen Elliott; Mark Stevenson; Rebecca Q Ivers Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2012-10-18 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Rebecca Q Ivers; Lisa Keay; Julie Brown; Lynne E Bilston; Kate Hunter; Judy M Simpson; Mark Stevenson Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2011-01-06 Impact factor: 3.295