Reducing motor vehicle trauma through health promotion programming.

Health Promotion approaches found effective in reducing morbidity and mortality from chronic diseases are being applied to reducing death and disability from motor vehicle trauma. The use of safety belts and child safety seats are of recognized benefit in reducing the public health problem associated with traffic crashes. Because traffic crashes are one of the leading causes of productive years of life lost and the leading cause of death among age groups 5-34, safety belt and child safety seat programs that use effective community health promotion strategies are needed. This article suggests programs and educational approaches in which safety belt and child restraint use are promoted as preventive health practices. Health educators are encouraged to view these protective behaviors as part of a healthy life-style and promote occupant protection as a life-style behavior.