In September 2011 the Belgian Road Safety Institute (BRSI) conducted its first roadside survey of child restraint system (CRS) use and misuse. The aim of this study was to observe in real traffic conditions how children are restrained, to measure the rate of use and misuse of CRS, and to evaluate the main reasons for misuse. The sample consisted of 1,461 children (under 135 cm) for whom the conditions of restraint were observed in detail and the driver was interviewed. The survey was conducted on randomly selected sites across the country and represented various types of journeys. Numerous parameters were analysed: the characteristics of the children and the car drivers, type of journey, types of CRS and types of misuse. At least 50% of the children were not correctly restrained and 10% were not restrained at all. Various factors influenced the CRS use. The most significant ones were the use of a seatbelt by the driver, awareness of road hazards by the driver, whether advice was provided in the CRS selling points and the length and frequency of the trip. The drivers minimized inappropriate use and/or misuse of the CRS and were rarely aware of their own errors. Moreover, the ISOFIX system reduced significantly misuses regarding the installation of the devices. All together these results confirm the need to continue to inform the population on the necessity of correctly using the appropriate CRS to improve child safety and to enforce CRS use in Belgium. This publication may be accessed by Internet users at: http://www.ictct.org/workshop.php?workshop_nr=35
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