Motor vehicle crash injuries are the leading cause of death among children, with many of these deaths involving children who were riding unrestrained. Recent research has shown that passenger airbags pose an increased risk to infants and unbelted or improperly belted children riding in front seats. As a result, extensive publicity has been aimed at getting children restrained and in rear seats. To assess current restraint use and seating positions among children, observational surveys were conducted in Michigan, North Carolina, and Texas during the spring and summer of 1998 Fewer children were observed riding in the front seats of vehicles with passenger airbags than in vehicles without them. However, this percentage was much higher among older children, with about one-third of 7-12 year-olds occupying this seat compared with less than 10 percent of infants and 1-2 year-olds and 16-20 percent of 3-6 year-olds. Restraint use also varied with age and seating position The overwhelming majority of children age 0-2 were restrained, particularly when riding in the rear. However, children age 3-6 seated in the front were less likely to be restrained than any other age group and were the group most often improperly restrained. There should be a continuing effort to educate parents about the importance of correct restraint use and rear seating for children, as well as to enforce the laws that exist in every state. (Author/publisher)
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