Who are using child restraint systems and why:​ data from four major canadian cities

Thompson, A. L.; Verreault, R.

Affiliations

¹Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Que.

²Montreal Children's Hospital, Montreal, Que.

Abstract

This paper is a condensation of a report prepared for the Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs of Canada on the use and suitability of currently available vehicle and auxiliary restraint systems for the protection of child passengers in crash situations. Information from current literature and selected experts has been summarized on the technical, medical and some legal aspects of child restraint systems.

A study of parents' utilization of car seats or seat belts for their young children was carried out simultaneously in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver to find out the degree of use as well as the factors related to such use. Telephone interviews were conducted with 902 parents of children of age 6 years and under. Analysis of the questionnaires produced considerable information, part of which is provided in the paper. The parents could be divided into six groups as shown below.

Have a car seat, always use it 297 32.9%
Have a car seat, sometimes use it 128 14.2
Have a car seat, never use it 113 12.5
Previously had a car seat 194 21.5
Never had a car seat 135 15.0
Never heard of a car seat 35 3.9

Cited By (1)

Year	Entry
1983	Knoedler RE, Dingledy C. Effects of Standard 213 on design potential for child restraints. In: 27th Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). October 3-6, 1983; San Antonio, TX.105-114.