Despite the effectiveness of child restraints and lap/shoulder belts to reduce the likelihood of severe and fatal injuries, accidents continue to occur in which restrained children are being injured and killed. The Safety Board conducted this study to examine the performance and use of occupant protection systems for children -- child restraint systems, vehicle seat belts, and air bags. The study analyses data from 120 accidents involving at least one vehicle in which there was a child passenger younger than age 11 and in which at least one occupant was transported to the hospital. Volume 1 contains the Board's analysis of the data and its conclusions and recommendations. Volume 2 contains the summaries of the 120 accidents. The safety issues discussed in the report include (a) the dangers that passenger-side air bags pose to children; (b) factors that affect injury severity, including the use of an inappropriate restraint for a child's age, height, and weight, the improper use of the restraint, accident severity, and seat location; (c) the adequacy of Federal standards regarding the design and installation of child restraint systems; (d) the need to improve seat belt fit for children; (e) the adequacy of public information and education on child passenger protection; and (f) the adequacy of State child restraint use laws. Safety recommendations concerning these issues were made to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Governors and legislative leaders of the 50 States, the U.S. Territories, and the Mayor of the District of Columbia; the domestic and international automobile manufacturers; and the child restraint manufacturers. (Author/publisher)
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