2000 Motor Vehicle Occupant Safety Survey. Volume 5, Child Safety Seat Report

NHTSA - Behavioral Safety Researchhttps://doi.org/10.21949/15255192002PDFStatistical ReportBlock, Alan W.Schulman, Ronca, & Bucuvalas (Firm)United States. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Office of Research and Traffic RecordsUnited States. National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationUnited StatesOccupant protection devicesChild safety seatsSurveysAttitudesBehaviorDOT-HS-809-465NTIS-PB2003100176The 2000 Motor Vehicle Occupant Safety Survey was the fourth in a series of biennial national telephone surveys on occupant protection issues conducted for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Data collection was conducted by Schulman, Ronca & Bucuvalas, Inc., a national survey research organization. The survey used two questionnaires, each administered to a randomly selected national sample of about 6,000 persons age16 or older. Interviewing began November 8, 2000 and ended January21, 2001. This report presents the survey findings pertaining to child restraint use. Telephone surveys provide self-reported information, which can differ from information collected through direct observation. Detailed information on the survey methodology, as well as copies of the questionnaires, are contained in a separate NHTSA report ("2000 Motor Vehicle Occupant Safety Survey. Volume 1: Methodology Report"). Among drivers who lived with children age 12 or younger, most indicated that the youngest child typically rode in the back seat. Parents/caregivers of children under the age of 9 usually said the (referent) child either used a child car seat all the time (53%) or never(40%). If the child never used a car seat, it usually was because the child had graduated to seat belt use. However, 34% of the never users who wore seat belts instead had the shoulder belt cut across their face or neck on most trips, 26% usually put the shoulder belt behind their back, and 21 % put the shoulder belt under their arm. Discontinuation of car seat use (including booster seats) by most children occurred at age 4 or 5. Although booster seats are recommended for most children ages 4 through 8, the survey found only 14% of children in that age range using them and another 14% using front facing child safety seats. While most parents/caregivers (84%) had heard of booster seats, 23% of these had concerns about their safety. /Abstract from report summary page/129