Seatbelt and Child Seat Use
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Enhanced Seatbelt Reminder Systems:
With the goal of increasing safety belt use, automobile manufacturers have designed a variety of reminder systems to alert drivers and front seat passengers that their belt is not being worn. These warning extend beyond the FMVSS 108 requirement and vary in implementation (e.g., presence and type of auditory or visual characteristics) and duration.
The goal of the enhanced seat belt reminder system project is to investigate the effectiveness and acceptability of these systems on seat belt use. The evaluation will look at the effectiveness and acceptability of these systems, including specific system characteristics. The project will also include a separate evaluation of teen drivers and their acceptance of such systems
Reports:
- "Effectiveness and Acceptance of Enhanced Seat Belt Reminder Systems: Characteristics of Optimal Reminder Systems " [PDF] by Freedman, M., Lerner, N., Zador, P., Singer,J., and Levi, S., Performed by Westat, Sponsored by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington D.C., February 2009, DOT HS 811 097.
- "The Effectiveness of Enhanced Seat Belt Reminder Systems. Observational Field Data Collection Methodology and Findings." [PDF] by Freedman, M., Levi, S., Zador, P., Lopdell, J., and Bergeron, E., Performed by Westat, Sponsored by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington D.C., December 2007, DOT HS 810 844.
- "Acceptability and Potential Effectiveness of Enhanced Seat Belt Reminder System Features." [PDF] by Lerner, N., Singer, J., Huey, R., and Jenness, J., Performed by Westat, Sponsored by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington D.C., December 2007, DOT HS 810 848.
Related Reports:
- Seat Belt Use in 2007 — Overall Results
- 2004 Motor Vehicle Occupant Protection Facts
- Increasing Teen Safety Belt Use: A Program and Literature Review
Child safety seats are a form of protection most effective for young children in motor vehicles. Common misuses such as loose harnesses, improper attachment, and incorrect recline angles contribute to the difficulty with installing child safety seats. An observational pilot study was conducted to examine child safety seat errors during novice installation.
Our current study focuses on novice installation in cars with the LATCH system. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the design of the CSS and how current vehicles and child seats could be enhanced to be even more effective. Identifying the common error points during child seat installation can lead us to understand the underlying factors that contribute to these errors
Reports:
- Klinich, Manary, et al (2012) Labels, Instructions and Features of Convertible Child RestraintSystems (CRS): Evaluating Their Effects on CRS Installation Errors, DOT HS 811 627, July 2012
- Klinich, Manary, et al (2012) Effects of Vehicle Features on CRS Installation Errors DOT HS 811 626, July 2012
- Tsai, Y.D., Perel, M. (2009) "Drivers' Mistakes When Installing Child Seats" - DOT HS 811 234
- Decina L. E., Lococo K. H., and Doyle C. T. (2006). Child Restraint Use Survey: LATCH Use and Misuse. DOT HS 810 679.
- Decina L.E. and Lococo K. H and Block A. W. (2005). Misuse of Child Restraints: Results Of A Workshop To Review Field Data Results. DOT HS 809 851
- Decina L.E. and Lococo K. H. (2004). Misuse of Child Restraints. DOT HS 809 671.
