Abstract
In 1978, child safety seats and adult safety belts used by children under 5 years old saved 3% of those who would have been killed if not one had used the devices. By 1988, children's use of safety seats and belts had risen enough that 26% of those at risk were saved. During these eleven years, the number of states with child occupant protection laws increased from 1 to 11. Passing a child occupant protection law is an immediate benefit to a state.