Children often need to be transported in motor vehicles by their child care providers. This study investigates parents' knowledge and experience regarding transportation safety as it relates to their children in child care. Parents were surveyed regarding who is providing the child care, how often the children in child care settings are being transported, what types of child passenger restraints and procedures are used by their child care providers, and child care center/program policies on transporting children. The study also analyzed state laws and regulations in effect to govern the safe transportation of children in child care. Findings showed that nearly half of parents stated that their children were transported by caregivers at least once a week. Sixty percent of children were cared for in home settings, with 60% of these children being cared for by their grandparents. Forty-six percent of children who should have been in safety seats were reported to be transported in lap belts. Thirty-seven percent of parents of children in program/center child care reported that their provider either had no policy on transporting children or were unsure if one existed. All states were found to have some form of child occupant protection law to which child care providers must adhere, and most states have some form of regulation with provisions as to how child care providers should transport children in motor vehicles. However, these regulations are often inconsistent in scope and coverage and sometimes conflict with existing child occupant protection laws. These results suggest that parents, child care providers and regulators/legislators can take further steps to ensure that children are being safely transported while in child care settings. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting