Michelle L Macy1, Matthew P Reed, Gary L Freed. 1. Department of Emergency Medicine, Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Unit, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5456, USA. mlmacy@umich.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency with which drivers report improper seat belt positions among children 4-9 years of age and the frequency with which reported problems were attributable to the lap belt, shoulder belt, or both. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Analysis of driver responses to 5 questions related to seat belt positioning from the cross-sectional, phone-based 2007 Motor Vehicle Occupant Safety Survey. Belt position problems categorized as related to (1) shoulder belt and (2) lap belt. Improper belt position was compared across age groups (4-6 years, 7-8 years, and 9 years) and use of a child safety seat with χ(2) statistics or Fisher exact tests as appropriate. RESULTS: Seat belt use was reported for 334 of 891 (37%) 4- to 9-year-old child passengers, and 261 (78%) drivers reported improper belt fit among these child passengers. Improper shoulder belt position (44%) was less common than improper lap belt position (62%). At least one improper belt position was reported by 78% of drivers of 4- to 6-year-old children, 77% of 7- to 8-year-old children, and 79% of 9-year-old children (P = .87). There were no significant differences in report of improper belt position among children who never and those who occasionally use a child safety seat were compared. CONCLUSIONS: Drivers frequently report improper lap and shoulder belt positions for their 4- to 9-year-old child passengers yet persist in restraining children by the use of seat belts alone. Clinicians can promote the use of size-appropriate child passenger restraint systems, including car seats and booster seats, to overcome the improper belt positions identified in this study. Copyright Â
OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency with which drivers report improper seat belt positions among children 4-9 years of age and the frequency with which reported problems were attributable to the lap belt, shoulder belt, or both. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Analysis of driver responses to 5 questions related to seat belt positioning from the cross-sectional, phone-based 2007 Motor Vehicle Occupant Safety Survey. Belt position problems categorized as related to (1) shoulder belt and (2) lap belt. Improper belt position was compared across age groups (4-6 years, 7-8 years, and 9 years) and use of a child safety seat with χ(2) statistics or Fisher exact tests as appropriate. RESULTS: Seat belt use was reported for 334 of 891 (37%) 4- to 9-year-old child passengers, and 261 (78%) drivers reported improper belt fit among these child passengers. Improper shoulder belt position (44%) was less common than improper lap belt position (62%). At least one improper belt position was reported by 78% of drivers of 4- to 6-year-old children, 77% of 7- to 8-year-old children, and 79% of 9-year-old children (P = .87). There were no significant differences in report of improper belt position among children who never and those who occasionally use a child safety seat were compared. CONCLUSIONS: Drivers frequently report improper lap and shoulder belt positions for their 4- to 9-year-old child passengers yet persist in restraining children by the use of seat belts alone. Clinicians can promote the use of size-appropriate child passenger restraint systems, including car seats and booster seats, to overcome the improper belt positions identified in this study. Copyright Â
Authors: Mary E Aitken; Beverly K Miller; Byron L Anderson; Christopher J Swearingen; Kathy W Monroe; Dawn Daniels; Joseph O Neil; L R Tres Scherer; John Hafner; Samantha H Mullins Journal: J Rural Health Date: 2013-01-28 Impact factor: 4.333