Citation

Thompson AL, Verreault R. Proc. Am. Assoc. Automot. Med. Annu. Conf. 1979; 23: 254-267.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1979, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

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: 1) Have a car seat, always use it - 297 - 32.9%; 2) Have a car seat, sometimes use it - 128 - 14.2%; 3) Have a car seat, never use it - 113 - 12.5%; 4) Previously had a car seat - 194 - 21.5%; 5) Never had a car seat - 135 - 15.0%; and 6) Never heard of a car seat - 35 - 3.9%.