The objective of this study was to design and conduct an observational survey of child occupant restraint use in Michigan to provide the state with a baseline against which the effects of a special child occupant protection use program could be measured. Analysis of national personal travel data identified schools and non-school sites (fast food restaurants, skating rinks, malls, movie theatres, and recreation centres) as locations frequently visited by children 4-to-15 years of age that were also suitable for an observational study. A stratified random sampling design was developed and 132 sites (4 school and 28 non-school in each of 4 strata) were sampled. Trained observers visited the sites, located vehicles with target age children, and recorded the occupant restraint use of the children ( in all seating positions) and driver of the vehicle, along with other descriptive information. The results showed that overall child occupant restraint use in Michigan was 66 ±3.5 percent. In addition, child occupant restraint use followed closely the driver belt use, with child occupant restraint use more than 81 percent when the driver was using a safety belt. Child occupant restraint use varied by age group with children under 4 years of age more likely to be restrained than children 4-to-15 years of age. Child occupants in vans/minivans and sport utility vehicles were more likely to be restrained than those in pickup trucks and passenger cars. Restraint use varied by seating position, with older children in the front-right position more likely to be restrained than in other seating positions and younger children more likely to be restrained in the second row outboard seating positions than in other locations. There were no differences in restraint use by the sex of the child, the trip purpose, or by day of week. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting