RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Are parents following the recommendations for keeping children younger than 2 years rear facing during motor vehicle travel?
JF Injury Prevention
JO Inj Prev
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 226
OP 231
DO 10.1136/injuryprev-2013-040894
VO 20
IS 4
A1 Joseph O'Neil
A1 James E Slaven
A1 Judith Talty
A1 Marilyn J Bull
YR 2014
UL http://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/20/4/226.abstract
AB Purpose Between 2007 and 2012 there have been several recommendations that infants and toddlers ride in a car safety seat (CSS) rear facing until 2 years of age. This study reports the effect of these recommendations on the observed direction of travel for infants and toddlers transported in motor vehicles between 2007 and 2012. Methods This is an observational, cross-sectional survey of drivers transporting children collected at 25 convenience locations selected in Indiana during summer 2007 through 2012. Observations were conducted by Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians. As drivers completed a written survey, the Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician recorded the vehicle seating location, type of restraint, CSS direction and use of the CSS harness or safety belt as appropriate, and demographic data. The infant and toddler's age and weight were collected. Data from 2007 through 2012 for ages birth through 23 months were compared in order to determine if recommendations impacted observed direction of travel. Results During the study period, the percent of infants and toddlers (birth through 23 months) observed rear facing in a motor vehicle varied from 44.2% (2007) to 59.1% (2012). For infants (birth through 11 months) observed rear facing, it was 85.1% (2009) to 91.6% (2012). The percent of toddlers (12 months through 23 months) observed rear facing ranged from 3.3% (2008) to 18.2% (2012). Conclusions During the study period, the proportion of toddlers rear facing increased approximately 15% (p=0.03). Counselling by primary care providers should continue and be strengthened to increase parent and caregiver awareness of the latest child passenger safety recommendations.