In Australia in 2005, 72 child passengers under the age of 16 years were killed in motor vehicle accidents, accounting for about two-thirds of all road user deaths in this age group. About a thousand children are seriously injured as vehicle occupants on Australian roads each year. Car accidents are the most common cause of injury and death for Australian children aged 1–14 years and account for about 40% of all injury-related deaths. The rate of child restraint and seatbelt use in Australia is high, at over 92%. Although more frequent when children are unrestrained, serious injuries and deaths also occur among restrained children. The 'seatbelt syndrome' is a specific pattern of serious injury to the lumbar and cervical spine, and to abdominal organs, including contusions, tears, and perforations. These injuries are associated with premature graduation of young children to adult seatbelts, misuse of seatbelts, or use of lap-only belts. In this review, we summarise current evidence for child restraint use, existing restraint legislation and policy, and parents’ knowledge and attitudes towards child restraints. (Author/publisher)
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