Parents and childrens attitudes to seat belt usage and knowledge of seat belt law.

Knowledge of and attitudes to seat belt laws and the perception of risk were examined in a cohort of 1139 children and their parents. Seven hundred and thirty questionnaires were obtained from interviewing a sample of 13-year-olds and 805 questionnaires were obtained by mail from the parents. Most children (98%) and parents (99%) had correct knowledge of the law relating to the front seat. Fewer children (77%) and parents (80%) gave the correct response for the rear seat. Nearly all children (96%) and parents (99%) correctly identified the front seat unbelted as the most dangerous combination, but only 72% of children and 70% of parents identified the safest place to travel. There was parental support for a law requiring owners to fit rear seat belts and for a law requiring children of all ages to be restrained.