Citation

Brown J, Bilston L, McCaskill M. Proc. Australas. Road Safety Res. Policing Educ. Conf. 2003; 7(2): 81-87.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, copyright holder varies, Publisher Monash University)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The focus of this study is to investigate the role of restraint misuse and inappropriate use on injury outcome for 2-8 year old motor vehicle occupants. Preliminary results suggest that an overwhelming proportion of children in this age group are restrained by adult seatbelt systems rather than the more appropriate dedicated child restraints or booster seats. Common serious injury mechanisms have been observed in children inappropriately restrained. These injury mechanisms include abdominal injuries due to poor lap belt fit, neck injuries due to poor sash belt fit and head injuries due to poor control of head excursion. In addition, restraint misuse appears to be a factor in several of the more serious cases involving restrained children. Together, this data suggests that reducing the instances of inappropriate restraint use and restraint misuse are potential countermeasures for reducing the severity of injuries sustained by child motor vehicle occupants.