This paper describes results from a survey of older children with respect to vehicle and booster restraints. The work first consisted of a rudimentary anthropometry study of 155 volunteers aged between 7 and 12 years. The data were compared to an extensive child anthropometry study conducted by the University of Michigan in 1975. Height and sitting height data matched well, while children in the current study appeared heavier. In the restraint fit survey, each child sat in the rear seat alone and in three belt-positioning booster seats (Volvo, Kangaroo, Century CR-3) in three vehicles (Ford Taurus, Pontiac Sunbird, Dodge Caravan). Booster seats greatly improved belt fit over the rear seat alone. the rear seat alone. The majority of children in this study had better belt fit with the boosters than with the rear seat alone, regardless of size. However, children who could fit well in the boosters and had good or fair belt fits were generally 36 kg or less. In general, the minimum size child for using three-point belts alone is a sitting height of 74 cm, standing height of 148 cm, and a weight of 37 kg. The "slouch factor", where children will scoot forward to allow comfortable leg positions rather than sit up straight and put pressure on their legs, appears to cause poor belt fit frequently.
Abstract