Effectiveness of Child Safety Seats vs Safety Belts for Children Aged 2 to 3 Years
Open Access
- 1 January 2007
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Medical Association (AMA) in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
- Vol. 161 (1), 65-68
- https://doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.161.1.65
Abstract
Objective To compare the effectiveness of child safety seats and lap-shoulder belts in rear passenger vehicle seats for 2- to 3-year-old crash survivors. Design Cohort study. Setting The January 1, 1998, to December 31, 2004, US data on a nationally representative sample of crashes that resulted in at least 1 vehicle being towed away. Participants Toddlers who were sitting in rear vehicle seats and using lap-shoulder belts or child seats when involved in highway crashes. Intervention Child safety seat vs safety belt. Outcome Measure Presence of any injury after a crash. Results The adjusted odds of injury were 81.8% lower (95% confidence interval, 58.3%-92.1% lower) for toddlers in child seats than belted toddlers. Conclusions Child safety seats seem to be more effective rear seat restraints than lap-shoulder safety belts for children aged 2 to 3 years. Laws requiring that children younger than 4 years travel in child safety seats have a sound basis and should remain in force.Keywords
This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit:
- Effectiveness of Child Safety Seats vs Seat Belts in Reducing Risk for Death in Children in Passenger Vehicle CrashesArchives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 2006