Citation

Lee SW. J. Traffic Med. 2001; 29(3-4): 16-18.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, International Association for Accident and Traffic Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of child restraint use law enacted in Aug. 1997 with special reference to frequency of restraint use and extent of publicity. Method: 3000 passenger cars with children under five years of age were surveyed at three different locations to see whether in -car child safety device was used or not. Interview with 100 parents who have restraint system in their cars was conducted to investigate source of information on the system and their awareness of the law being enacted. Results: The overall frequency of child restraint use accounted for 13.6 %, 409 among 3,000 cars surveyed. The vast majority of parents obtained information on child restraint system via private sources rather than public media and were unaware of the law came into effect. Conclusion: In the situation with unacceptable level of frequency as well as publicity of child restraint use, it needs a coalition structure for cooperative work with relevant professionals. The positive role can be played by leadership of government authorities and particularly of health professions in raising awareness and encouraging increased use of the system.