Citation

Koppel SN, Charlton JL, Fitzharris M, Congiu M, Fildes BN. Accid. Anal. Prev. 2008; 40(2): 657-666.

Affiliation

Monash University Accident Research Centre, Building 70, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.aap.2007.09.005

PMID

18329418

Abstract

This study investigated the factors associated with the premature graduation into seatbelts for Australian children aged 4-11 years. From 699 child restraint use questionnaires, 195 children were identified as meeting the booster seat height-weight criteria (height: 100-145cm and weight: 14-26kg). Of these children, 44% were correctly traveling in a booster seat, while 56% had been moved prematurely into a seatbelt. A multivariable logistic regression model showed that there were a number of key predictors associated with the premature graduation to seatbelts. For example, children who were moved prematurely into a seatbelt were more likely to be older, have other children travelling in the vehicle and have younger parents compared to children appropriately restrained in a booster seat. In addition, there was a significant interaction between vehicle type and parent's household income. Based on the findings of this study, a number of recommendations are made for strategies to enhance appropriate restraint use for this age group, as well as for future research.

Language: en