Current databases relating information about children in vehicle crashes are not comprehensive due in part, to the small sample sizes of these studies. This limitation has led to a focus on case series analyses, which have in turn produced few statistically based recommendations for vehicle and child restraint design changes. The magnitude of the problem of child occupant protection is not clear and limited mechanisms currently exist by which to systematically and thoroughly investigate critical questions in the field. To address these issues, the authors have created a comprehensive surveillance system devoted exclusively to children riding as occupants in motor vehicles through the utilization of current insurance claim settlement procedures. This surveillance system will provide a mechanism for the prompt identification of important "targeted issues" that require more detailed investigation and analysis. These targeted issue studies will utilize crash investigations and telephone interviews to learn more details about crash circumstances, occupant kinematics, and restraint system performance. The unique combination of the surveillance system with these focused investigations will result in a statistically based sample with valid and generalizable results. (A)
Abstract