In 1978, child safety seats and adult safety belts used by children under five years old saved 3% of those who would have been killed if no one had used the devices. By 1988, children's use of safety seats and belts had risen enough that 26% of those at risk were saved. During these eleven years, the number of states with child occupant protection laws increased from one (in 1978) to fifty (in 1985) plus the District of Columbia. The 1981 to 1984 fatality experience was used to estimate the incremental benefit to a state of having a child occupant protection law in any one year. During these four years, 19% of those who would have been killed (if no one used a safety seat or belt) in states with child occupant protection laws were saved by safety seats and belts. In contrast, only 10% were saved in states without laws. The difference between these two numbers (9%) is an estimate of the immediate benefit to a state of passing a child occupant protection law. However, because these laws contribute to the increasing use of safety seats and belts by young children, their cumulative and potential benefits are much greater. /Abstract from report summary page/
This report provides an analysis of the impact of child passenger protection legislation and a public information and education (PI&E) program on chil...
Estimates derived from the Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) indicate that restraints are very effective in preventing infant (under one year old...
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