1998 Motor Vehicle Occupant Safety Survey: Volume 3--Child Safety Seat Report

1998
Motor Vehicle Occupant
Safety Survey

Volume 3

Child
Safety Seat
Report

July, 2000

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FIGURES AND TABLES

TECHNICAL REPORT DOCUMENTATION

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION

Background
Methodology

CHAPTER 1: SEATING POSITION OF CHILDREN

Proportion of Trips That Child Age 12 Or Younger Rides In Front Seat of Vehicle
Change In Seating Position Of Child Age 12 Or Younger From 12 Months Ago

CHAPTER 2: TRANSPORTERS OF YOUNG CHILDREN

Driving With A Child Under Age 6
Drivers Who Do Not Live With The Child

CHAPTER 3: 1998 CAR SEAT USE

Parent/Caregiver Subgroup
Reported Frequency of Car Seat Use
Type and Location of Car Seat
Where Parents/Caregivers Believe It Is Safest To Place A Child Car Seat
Child Car Seats That Face Forward In Vehicles With Air Bags
Acquisition of Car Seat
Sources For Information On Car Seats
Ease Of Use
Children Getting Out Of Car Seats
Frequency That Persons Outside Household Drive Child Who Uses Car Seat

CHAPTER 4: REASONS FOR NON-USE OF CAR SEATS

Part Time Car Seat Users
Never Users of Car Seats

CHAPTER 5: BOOSTER SEAT ISSUES

Awareness Of Booster Seats
Concerns About The Safety Of Booster Seats
Expected Restraint System After Outgrowing Current Seat

CHAPTER 6: ATTITUDES TOWARD ENFORCEMENT OF CHILD RESTRAINT LAWS

Support For Enforcement Of Car Seat Laws
Attitudes About Occupant Restraint Requirements For Children Who Outgrow Car Seats

CHAPTER 7: RESULTS FROM THE BUCKLE UP AMERICA SURVEYS

Level Of Confidence In Knowing How To Protect A Child
Desire For Child Protection Information
Preferred Sources For Child Protection Information

CHAPTER 8: TRENDS -- 1994-1998

Car Seat Use 1994-1998
Type and Location Of Car Seat, 1994-1998
Acquisition of Car Seat
Sources For Information On Car Seats
Ease of Use
Part Time Car Seat Users
Never Users Of Car Seats
Booster Seats
Support For Enforcing Car Seat Laws
Support For Laws Requiring Seat Belt Use After Child Has Outgrown Car Seat

APPENDIX A -- PRECISION OF SAMPLE ESTIMATES

FIGURE AND TABLES

CHAPTER 1: SEATING POSITION OF CHILDREN

Figures

Figure 1. Proportion Of Trips That The Youngest Child Rode In The Front Seat In The Past 30 Days

Figure 2. Proportion Of Youngest Child's Trips In Front Seat In Past 30 Days By Sex Of Adult Respondent

Figure 3. Proportion Of Youngest Child's Trips In Front Seat In Past 30 Days By Race/Ethnicity Of Adult Respondent

Figure 4. Proportion Of Youngest Child's Trips In Front Seat In Past 30 Days By Education Of Adult Respondent

Figure 5. Proportion Of Youngest Child's Trips In Front Seat In Past 30 Days By Urbanicity

Figure 6. Proportion Of Youngest Child's Trips In Front Seat In Past 30 Days By Air Bag In Respondent's Primary Vehicle

Figure 7. Proportion Of Youngest Child's Trips In Front Seat In Past 30 Days By Age Of Child

Figure 8. Proportion Of Youngest Child's Trips In Front Seat In Past 30 Days By Region Of Country

Figure 9. Is Youngest Child More Likely, Less Likely, Or Just As Likely To Ride In Front Seat Than 12 Months Ago?

Figure 10. Change From 12 Months Ago In How Frequently Child Rides In Front Seat By Sex Of Adult Driver

Figure 11. Change From 12 Months Ago In How Frequently Child Rides In Front Seat By Race/Ethnicity Of Adult Driver

Figure 12. Change From 12 Months Ago In How Frequently Child Rides In Front By Education Of Adult Driver

Figure 13. Change From 12 Months Ago In How Frequently Child Rides In Front By Urbanicity

Figure 14. Change From 12 Months Ago In How Frequently Child Rides In Front By Presence Of Air Bag

Figure 15. Change From 12 Months Ago In How Frequently Child Rides In Front By Age Of Child

Figure 16. Change From 12 Months Ago In How Frequently Child Rides In Front By Region Of Country

Figure 17. Reason Child Is More Likely To Ride In Front By Child's Age

Tables

Table 1. Reason Child Is More Likely To Ride In Front Than 12 Months Ago

Table 2. Reason Child Is Less Likely To Ride In Front Than 12 Months Ago

CHAPTER 2: TRANSPORTERS OF YOUNG CHILDREN

Figures

Figure 18. Driven In Past Year With Child Passenger Under Age 6

Figure 19. Frequency Of Driving Children Under Age 6: Drivers Who Do Not Live With A Young Child

Figure 20. Relationship To Child Outside Household Whom They Drive: Drivers Not Living With Young Child

Figure 21. Frequency Grandparents/Other Relatives Drive Child: Drivers Who Don't Live With Young Child

Figure 22. How Often Child Uses Car Seat Or Seat Belt: Drivers (Not Parents) Of Children Outside Home

CHAPTER 3: 1998 CAR SEAT USE

Figures

Figure 23. Frequency Child Under 6 Rides In Car Seat

Figure 24. “All The Time” Car Seat Use By Child's Weight (Children Under Age 6)

Figure 25. “All The Time” Car Seat Use By Child's Age (Children Under Age 6)

Figure 26. Last Time Child Didn't Use Car Seat: Drivers Who Said Child Uses Seat “All The Time”

Figure 27. Type Of Child Car Seat

Figure 28. Type Of Child Car Seat By Child's Age

Figure 29. Type Of Child Car Seat By Child's Weight

Figure 30. Car Seat Position Of Children Who Should Be Riding Rear Facin

Figure 31. Whether Car Seat Is Reversible

Figure 32. Placement Of Child's Car Seat

Figure 33. Placement Of Child's Car Seat By Type Of Car Seat

Figure 34. Placement Of Child's Car Seat By Presence Of Air Bag In Primary Vehicle

Figure 35. Where It Is Safest To Place A Child Car Seat In The Vehicle

Figure 36. Safety Of Child In Front Seat With Passenger Side Air Bag When Car Seat Is Rear Facing

Figure 37. Whether Car Seat Was New Or Used When Acquired

Figure 38. Where And How Obtained Child's Car Seat

Figure 39. Whether Car Seat Obtained New Or Used: Seat Received As Gift Or Loaner From Relative/Friend

Figure 40. Sources For Information On Child Car Seats

Figure 41. Ease Of Attaching Car Seat To Vehicle

Figure 42. Level Of Confidence That Car Seat Is Securely Attached To The Vehicle

Figure 43. Driven With Child In Car Seat And Found Car Seat Was Not Securely Attached

Figure 44. How Learned To Attach Car Seat To Vehicle

Figure 45. How Easy Or Difficult The Car Seat Instructions Were To Understand

Figure 46. Ease Of Buckling Child In Car Seat

Figure 47. Level Of Confidence That Child Is Properly Buckled In Car Sea

Figure 48. Child Has Gotten Out Of Car Seat While Riding With Respondent

Figure 49. Child Had Ridden In Vehicle Driven By Someone Outside Household In Past Month

Figure 50. Frequency Child Was Driven By Respondent Vs. Person Outside Household In Past 30 Days

Figure 51. Identity Of Driver Outside Household Who Drove Child In Past Month

Tables

Table 3. What Is Difficult About Attaching Car Seat To Vehicle

Table 4. Reasons Why Car Seat Was Not Securely Attached

Table 5. What Is Difficult About Buckling Child Into Car Seat

CHAPTER 4: REASONS FOR NON-USE OF CAR SEATS

Figures

Figure 52. Reasons Child Does Not Ride In Car Seat: Part Time Users

Figure 53. Where Child Rides When Not In Car Seat

Figure 54. Frequency Of Seat Belt Use When Child Is Not In Car Seat

Figure 55. Weight Of Children Who Always Or Most Of The Time Use Seat Belts When Not In Their Car Seat

Figure 56. Weight Of Children Who Never Use Car Seats

Figure 57. Reasons Child Never Rides In Car Seat

Figure 58. Frequency Child Uses Seat Belt: Children Who Never Use Car Seats

Figure 59. Where Child Usually Sits In Vehicle: Children Who Never Use Car Seats

Figure 60. Child Ever Rode In Car Seat During First Year Of Life: Children Who Never Use Car Seats

CHAPTER 5: BOOSTER SEAT ISSUES

Figures

Figure 61. Knowledge And Use Of Booster Seats: Parent/Caregiver Group

Figure 62. Age First Used Booster Seat

Figure 63. Have Concerns About The Safety Of Booster Seats

Figure 64. Awareness And Concerns About Booster Seats

Figure 65. Expected Restraint System For Child After Outgrowing Current Seat By Type Of Seat

Tables

Table 6. Concerns About Booster Seats

CHAPTER 6: ATTITUDES TOWARD ENFORCEMENT OF CHILD RESTRAINT LAWS

Figures

Figure 66. Level Of Support For Enforcing Car Seat Laws

Figure 67. Level Of Support For Enforcing Car Seat Laws By Sex Of Respondent

Figure 68. Level Of Support For Enforcing Car Seat Laws By Race/Ethnicity Of Respondent

Figure 69. Level Of Support For Enforcing Car Seat Laws By Presence Of Child Under Age 6 In Household

Figure 70. Preferred Minimum Fine For Violation Of Car Seat Laws

Figure 71. Children Should Be Required To Wear Seat Belts When They Have Outgrown Car Seats

Figure 72. Age At Which Children Should No Longer Be Required To Wear Seat Belts

Figure 73. Believe Children Of All Ages Should Be Required To Wear Seat Belts If They Are Too Big For Car Seats By Sex Of Respondent

Figure 74. Believe Children Of All Ages Should Be Required To Wear Seat Belts If They Are Too Big For Car Seats By Race/Ethnicity

CHAPTER 7: RESULTS FROM THE BUCKLE UP AMERICA SURVEYS, THE PUBLIC'S PERCEIVED INFORMATION NEEDS ON CHILD OCCUPANT PROTECTION

Figures

Figure 75. Strongly Or Somewhat Agree: Know Everything Important To Know About Protecting Children

Figure 76. Would Find Child Protection Information Helpful, November 1999

Figure 77. Would Find Child Protection Information Helpful, December 1999

Tables

Table 7. Particular Types Of Information The Public Would Find Helpful

Table 8. Preferred Sources For Receiving Child Protection Information

CHAPTER 8: TRENDS 1994-1998

Figures

Figure 78. Frequency Child Under Age 6 Rides In Car Seat, 1994-1998

Figure 79. Reported All The Time Car Seat Use By Child's Weight, 1994-1998

Figure 80. Reported All The Time Car Seat Use By Child's Age, 1994-1998

Figure 81. Last Time Child Didn't Use Car Seat: Drivers Who Said Child Uses Seat “All The Time”

Figure 82. Type Of Child Car Seat, 1994-1998

Figure 83. Placement Of Child's Car Seat, 1994-1998

Figure 84. Where It Is Considered Safest To Place The Child Car Seat, 1994-1998

Figure 85. Safe Or Unsafe To Place Rear Facing Car Seat In Front With Passenger Side Air Bag, 1994-1998

Figure 86. Obtained Car Seat New Or Used, 1994-1998

Figure 87. How Obtained Car Seat, 1994-1998

Figure 88. Reported Sources For Information On Car Seats, 1994-1998

Figure 89. Ease Of Attaching Car Seat To Vehicle, 1994-1998

Figure 90. How Learned To Attach Car Seat To Vehicle, 1994-1998

Figure 91. Ease Of Buckling Child In Car Seat, 1994-1998

Figure 92. Where Child Rides When Not In Car Seat: Part Time Users, 1994-1998

Figure 93. Frequency Of Seat Belt Use When Not In Car Seat: Part Time Users, 1994-1998

Figure 94. Frequency Child Uses Seat Belt: Children Who Never Use Car Seats, 1994-1998

Figure 95. Seen Or Heard Of Booster Seats, 1996-1998

Figure 96. Expect Child To Use Seat Belts After Outgrowing Current Car Seat, 1996-1998

Figure 97. Level Of Support For Enforcing Car Seat Laws Using 10-Point Scale, 1994-1998

Figure 98. Children Should Be Required To Wear Seat Belts When They Have Outgrown Car Seats, 1994-1998

Tables

Table 9. Reasons Child Does Not Ride In Car Seat: Part Time Users, 1994-1998

Table 10. Reasons Child Never Rides In Car Seat, 1994-1998

Figure 1.	Proportion Of Trips That The Youngest Child Rode In The Front Seat In The Past 30 Days
Figure 2.	Proportion Of Youngest Child's Trips In Front Seat In Past 30 Days By Sex Of Adult Respondent
Figure 3.	Proportion Of Youngest Child's Trips In Front Seat In Past 30 Days By Race/Ethnicity Of Adult Respondent
Figure 4.	Proportion Of Youngest Child's Trips In Front Seat In Past 30 Days By Education Of Adult Respondent
Figure 5.	Proportion Of Youngest Child's Trips In Front Seat In Past 30 Days By Urbanicity
Figure 6.	Proportion Of Youngest Child's Trips In Front Seat In Past 30 Days By Air Bag In Respondent's Primary Vehicle
Figure 7.	Proportion Of Youngest Child's Trips In Front Seat In Past 30 Days By Age Of Child
Figure 8.	Proportion Of Youngest Child's Trips In Front Seat In Past 30 Days By Region Of Country
Figure 9.	Is Youngest Child More Likely, Less Likely, Or Just As Likely To Ride In Front Seat Than 12 Months Ago?
Figure 10.	Change From 12 Months Ago In How Frequently Child Rides In Front Seat By Sex Of Adult Driver
Figure 11.	Change From 12 Months Ago In How Frequently Child Rides In Front Seat By Race/Ethnicity Of Adult Driver
Figure 12.	Change From 12 Months Ago In How Frequently Child Rides In Front By Education Of Adult Driver
Figure 13.	Change From 12 Months Ago In How Frequently Child Rides In Front By Urbanicity
Figure 14.	Change From 12 Months Ago In How Frequently Child Rides In Front By Presence Of Air Bag
Figure 15.	Change From 12 Months Ago In How Frequently Child Rides In Front By Age Of Child
Figure 16.	Change From 12 Months Ago In How Frequently Child Rides In Front By Region Of Country
Figure 17.	Reason Child Is More Likely To Ride In Front By Child's Age

Table 1.	Reason Child Is More Likely To Ride In Front Than 12 Months Ago
Table 2.	Reason Child Is Less Likely To Ride In Front Than 12 Months Ago

Figure 18.	Driven In Past Year With Child Passenger Under Age 6
Figure 19.	Frequency Of Driving Children Under Age 6: Drivers Who Do Not Live With A Young Child
Figure 20.	Relationship To Child Outside Household Whom They Drive: Drivers Not Living With Young Child
Figure 21.	Frequency Grandparents/Other Relatives Drive Child: Drivers Who Don't Live With Young Child
Figure 22.	How Often Child Uses Car Seat Or Seat Belt: Drivers (Not Parents) Of Children Outside Home

Figure 23.	Frequency Child Under 6 Rides In Car Seat
Figure 24.	“All The Time” Car Seat Use By Child's Weight (Children Under Age 6)
Figure 25.	“All The Time” Car Seat Use By Child's Age (Children Under Age 6)
Figure 26.	Last Time Child Didn't Use Car Seat: Drivers Who Said Child Uses Seat “All The Time”
Figure 27.	Type Of Child Car Seat
Figure 28.	Type Of Child Car Seat By Child's Age
Figure 29.	Type Of Child Car Seat By Child's Weight
Figure 30.	Car Seat Position Of Children Who Should Be Riding Rear Facin
Figure 31.	Whether Car Seat Is Reversible
Figure 32.	Placement Of Child's Car Seat
Figure 33.	Placement Of Child's Car Seat By Type Of Car Seat
Figure 34.	Placement Of Child's Car Seat By Presence Of Air Bag In Primary Vehicle
Figure 35.	Where It Is Safest To Place A Child Car Seat In The Vehicle
Figure 36.	Safety Of Child In Front Seat With Passenger Side Air Bag When Car Seat Is Rear Facing
Figure 37.	Whether Car Seat Was New Or Used When Acquired
Figure 38.	Where And How Obtained Child's Car Seat
Figure 39.	Whether Car Seat Obtained New Or Used: Seat Received As Gift Or Loaner From Relative/Friend
Figure 40.	Sources For Information On Child Car Seats
Figure 41.	Ease Of Attaching Car Seat To Vehicle
Figure 42.	Level Of Confidence That Car Seat Is Securely Attached To The Vehicle
Figure 43.	Driven With Child In Car Seat And Found Car Seat Was Not Securely Attached
Figure 44.	How Learned To Attach Car Seat To Vehicle
Figure 45.	How Easy Or Difficult The Car Seat Instructions Were To Understand
Figure 46.	Ease Of Buckling Child In Car Seat
Figure 47.	Level Of Confidence That Child Is Properly Buckled In Car Sea
Figure 48.	Child Has Gotten Out Of Car Seat While Riding With Respondent
Figure 49.	Child Had Ridden In Vehicle Driven By Someone Outside Household In Past Month
Figure 50.	Frequency Child Was Driven By Respondent Vs. Person Outside Household In Past 30 Days
Figure 51.	Identity Of Driver Outside Household Who Drove Child In Past Month

Table 3.	What Is Difficult About Attaching Car Seat To Vehicle
Table 4.	Reasons Why Car Seat Was Not Securely Attached
Table 5.	What Is Difficult About Buckling Child Into Car Seat

Figure 52.	Reasons Child Does Not Ride In Car Seat: Part Time Users
Figure 53.	Where Child Rides When Not In Car Seat
Figure 54.	Frequency Of Seat Belt Use When Child Is Not In Car Seat
Figure 55.	Weight Of Children Who Always Or Most Of The Time Use Seat Belts When Not In Their Car Seat
Figure 56.	Weight Of Children Who Never Use Car Seats
Figure 57.	Reasons Child Never Rides In Car Seat
Figure 58.	Frequency Child Uses Seat Belt: Children Who Never Use Car Seats
Figure 59.	Where Child Usually Sits In Vehicle: Children Who Never Use Car Seats
Figure 60.	Child Ever Rode In Car Seat During First Year Of Life: Children Who Never Use Car Seats

Figure 61.	Knowledge And Use Of Booster Seats: Parent/Caregiver Group
Figure 62.	Age First Used Booster Seat
Figure 63.	Have Concerns About The Safety Of Booster Seats
Figure 64.	Awareness And Concerns About Booster Seats
Figure 65.	Expected Restraint System For Child After Outgrowing Current Seat By Type Of Seat

Figure 66.	Level Of Support For Enforcing Car Seat Laws
Figure 67.	Level Of Support For Enforcing Car Seat Laws By Sex Of Respondent
Figure 68.	Level Of Support For Enforcing Car Seat Laws By Race/Ethnicity Of Respondent
Figure 69.	Level Of Support For Enforcing Car Seat Laws By Presence Of Child Under Age 6 In Household
Figure 70.	Preferred Minimum Fine For Violation Of Car Seat Laws
Figure 71.	Children Should Be Required To Wear Seat Belts When They Have Outgrown Car Seats
Figure 72.	Age At Which Children Should No Longer Be Required To Wear Seat Belts
Figure 73.	Believe Children Of All Ages Should Be Required To Wear Seat Belts If They Are Too Big For Car Seats By Sex Of Respondent
Figure 74.	Believe Children Of All Ages Should Be Required To Wear Seat Belts If They Are Too Big For Car Seats By Race/Ethnicity

Figure 75.	Strongly Or Somewhat Agree: Know Everything Important To Know About Protecting Children
Figure 76.	Would Find Child Protection Information Helpful, November 1999
Figure 77.	Would Find Child Protection Information Helpful, December 1999

Table 7.	Particular Types Of Information The Public Would Find Helpful
Table 8.	Preferred Sources For Receiving Child Protection Information

Figure 78.	Frequency Child Under Age 6 Rides In Car Seat, 1994-1998
Figure 79.	Reported All The Time Car Seat Use By Child's Weight, 1994-1998
Figure 80.	Reported All The Time Car Seat Use By Child's Age, 1994-1998
Figure 81.	Last Time Child Didn't Use Car Seat: Drivers Who Said Child Uses Seat “All The Time”
Figure 82.	Type Of Child Car Seat, 1994-1998
Figure 83.	Placement Of Child's Car Seat, 1994-1998
Figure 84.	Where It Is Considered Safest To Place The Child Car Seat, 1994-1998
Figure 85.	Safe Or Unsafe To Place Rear Facing Car Seat In Front With Passenger Side Air Bag, 1994-1998
Figure 86.	Obtained Car Seat New Or Used, 1994-1998
Figure 87.	How Obtained Car Seat, 1994-1998
Figure 88.	Reported Sources For Information On Car Seats, 1994-1998
Figure 89.	Ease Of Attaching Car Seat To Vehicle, 1994-1998
Figure 90.	How Learned To Attach Car Seat To Vehicle, 1994-1998
Figure 91.	Ease Of Buckling Child In Car Seat, 1994-1998
Figure 92.	Where Child Rides When Not In Car Seat: Part Time Users, 1994-1998
Figure 93.	Frequency Of Seat Belt Use When Not In Car Seat: Part Time Users, 1994-1998
Figure 94.	Frequency Child Uses Seat Belt: Children Who Never Use Car Seats, 1994-1998
Figure 95.	Seen Or Heard Of Booster Seats, 1996-1998
Figure 96.	Expect Child To Use Seat Belts After Outgrowing Current Car Seat, 1996-1998
Figure 97.	Level Of Support For Enforcing Car Seat Laws Using 10-Point Scale, 1994-1998
Figure 98.	Children Should Be Required To Wear Seat Belts When They Have Outgrown Car Seats, 1994-1998

Table 9.	Reasons Child Does Not Ride In Car Seat: Part Time Users, 1994-1998
Table 10.	Reasons Child Never Rides In Car Seat, 1994-1998