The overall proportion of children adequately protected by approved child restraints or adult seat belts in motor vehicles is gradually increasing. However, this survey has indicated a reduction (almost 4 percentage points) since 1981, in the percentage of children in the 6 months to 4 year old age group with adequate protection. A disturbing feature of this survey and previous surveys is the extremely low restraint wearing rates for children in the 4 to 7 year old age group (46 per cent adequately protected). This traditionally poor wearing rate for the older child and the reduction experienced in adequate protection for the younger child should be emphasized in child safety publicity. The results of this survey also highlight the need for publicity to focus on the dangers of children travelling illegally in motor vehicles with emphasis on the danger of sitting on adults' laps and travelling unrestrained in front seating compartments, especially when standing. The need to use seat belts when approved child restraints are not available should also be emphasised. Almost two- thirds of available adult seat belts were not used by children, who remained unrestrained. Any educational type campaign could be directed towards selected areas, such as Blacktown where the proportion of children adequately protected remains low - just over 50 per cent. (Author/publisher)
Abstract