Nine community programs designed to increase child safety seat (CSS) use through public information and education (PI&E) and enforcement were evaluated. Each community received a $5,000 incentive grant: Gulfport, FL, Provo, UT, Shreveport, LA, Charleston, WV, Columbus, IN, Des Moines, IA, Gilbert, AZ, Vineland, NJ, and Willimantic, CT. An administrative evaluation documented each site's PI&E and enforcement activities. Impact evaluations were conducted in Gulfport, Provo, and Shreveport, and consisted of observations of CSS use and correct use before and after grant activities. A total of 5,792 passengers vehicles were observed at intersections and at designated parking areas, usually shopping malls. The observational data indicated that the grant activities did not appear to increase overall use of child restraints. The percentage of older drivers who used child restraint devices increased almost an equal amount. The data indicated that the grant activities did increase the correct use of those devices being used. (A)
Samenvatting