Abstract
In order to understand by whom, when and where occupant restraints are and are not being used, the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) conducts observational surveys of occupant restraint use. The survey method has been developed over many years so that it provides accurate and detailed information on restraint use. This document is designed to be a simple guide to the research method used by the RTA to collect observational restraint use data. The method provides information on: type of vehicle used; seating position; sex of adult; age of child; type of restraint being used; quality of use of restraint; and what unrestrained children are doing.