The objectives of this project, sponsored by the U.S.DOT/National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, were to increase the use and proper use of child safety seats for toddlers between the ages of 1 and 5. Community police enforcement of the occupant restraint laws combined with public information and education strategies were conducted in two suburban communities with populations of 30,000 and 55,000. A comparison site similar in characteristics to the two test sites was also included in the study. Results of the programs showed statistically significant increases in use and proper use of child safety seats for toddlers, shoulder belt use by the general public, expectation of getting a citation for violating occupant restraint laws, and self-reported compliance with using child restraints properly. Study methods and results are documented in the following Final Report and journal article:
Decina, L. E., Temple M. G., and Dorer, H. S. (1993). Local Police Enforcement, Public Information and Education Strategies to Foster Use of Child Safety Seats for Toddlers: An Evaluation. USDOT/ NHTSA Publication No. DOT HS 808 120. Washington, D.C.
Decina, L. E., Temple, M. G., Dorer, H. S. (1994). "Increasing Child Safety Seat Use and Full Protection Among Toddlers: Evaluation of an Enforcement Program." Accident Analysis and Prevention; 26(5); 667-673.
This U.S.DOT/National Highway Traffic Safety Administration project documented the patterns of child safety seat misuse in the nation and reported on the most appropriate techniques to accurately and efficiently collect these data. CSS use and misuse observations were collected for approximately 5,900 young children (under 60 pounds) in over 4,000 vehicles in the states of Mississippi, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Washington. Results showed that, while overall restraint use for the target children was 87.2%, the correct CSS use rate was only 20.5%. Recommendations were provided for data collection techniques and for promoting CSS use and proper use. Study methods and results are documented in the following Final Report and journal articles:
Decina, L.E. and Knoebel, K.Y. (1996). Patterns of Misuse of Child Safety Seats. U.S.DOT/NHTSA Publication No. DOT HS 808 440. Washington, D.C.
Decina, L.E. and Knoebel, K.Y. (1997). "Child Safety Seat Misuse Patterns in Four States." Accident Analysis and Prevention, 29(1); 125-132.
McGreevy, J.C. and Decina, L.E. (1996). "Child Safety Seat Misuse." Journal of Emergency Medical Services, 21(3); 118-119.