Citation

Philpot JW, Heathington KW, Perry RL, Hughes EC. Transp. Res. Rec. 1979; 739: 8-14.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1979, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The combined impact of a Tennessee law on child-passenger safety and a promotional campaign for child-restraint devices on the rates of use of such devices is evaluated, and characteristics of users and nonusers are compared. A basic statewide public information and education (PI&E) program called for distribution of brochures and posters through such facilities as pediatricians' offices and hospitals. The comprehensive PI&E program consisted of an extensive mass-media campaign in addition to the basic program. Six target areas, including the five major metropolitan areas of the state, were chosen for the evaluation. The major findings are that the combination of the law and the basic PI&E program is effective in increasing the rates at which child-restraint devices are used, and the comprehensive program ensures an even higher rate of use. Cross tabulations of such use with other variables reveal that use of child-restraint devices is associated with (a) the age of the child, (b) all socioeconomic variables such as family income and education level, (c) other demographic and vehicle data, and (d) the wearing of safety belts. A market segmentation strategy for future PI&E programs is proposed.