The aim of the study was to establish what stands in the way of transporting children safely in cars and to reveal ways of improving the protection of children travelling as passengers. A series of studies analysed various approaches to improving child safety in cars. The safety awareness and habits of adults were ascertained, as were the problems and difficulties they face in using child protection systems (CPS). The safety-related attitudes, habits and wishes of children when travelling by car were also taken into account for the first time. Accident analyses and simulation tests helped to deal with problem areas affecting safety. Forms and influential factors concerning the incorrect use of child seats were examined in detail in field studies. Two out of three child seats are used incorrectly. Errors occur when fitting the CPS in the car and when securing the child in the seat. Further field studies examined whether or not new forms of fitting CPS in cars are suitable for reducing incorrect usage. While the majority of young children up to the age of 6 travel in child seats, the number of 7-11 year Olds using child seats is considerably lower. With increasing age, parents and children are more careless about child safety; in many cases, only the adult seat belt is used. It was possible to prove that the use of the adult seat belt for children results in a much higher risk of injury. Children of all ages complain that CPS are not sufficiently comfortable for sleeping and sitting for long periods; furthermore, they believe that child seats should be more practical for activities such as reading, drawing, eating and drinking. Based on the results of the study, 60 recommendations were made for improving child safety in cars. These recommendations are directed at the government and standards bodies, CPS manufacturers, the automobile industry, those responsible for traffic education and information and at parents and children. (Author/publisher)
Abstract