Abstract
Unintentional injuries, in particular those resulting from motor vehicle crashes, are a major public health problem in the United States. Persons living in rural areas are at greater risk for injury than urban residents due in part to the fact that motor vehicle occupant restraint usage is lower in those areas. This article describes the results of an annual observational survey of child passenger and driver occupant restraint usage in Iowa and compares rates in rural and urban locations. It also addresses the child's location in the vehicle (front seat versus rear seat) and relates placement trends to the increasing awareness of dangers involving children and air bag safety devices. (Author/publisher)