Child Restraint System Misuse and/or Inappropriate Use in Australia

Abstract

The results show that CRS misuse and fitment errors are widespread in Australia. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that educational and awareness materials and programs that provide information on the safety benefits associated with correct CRS use (as well as the injury risk associated with CRS misuse) be developed for both parents and children.

The Impact of New Legislation on Child Restraint System (CRS) Misuse and Inappropriate Use in Australia

“…Of all of the CRS inspected, the majority (79%) were reported as having at least one instance of misuse and/or inappropriate use. This finding is consistent with findings reported previously (Blair et al 2008;Brown, Hatfield, et al 2010b;Decina and Knoebel 1997;Decina and Lococo 2005;Glanvill 2000;Koppel and Charlton 2009;Taft et al 1999).…”

“…For example, a recent New Zealand study that matched actual behavior to questionnaire responses regarding CRS usage showed that although parents were confident about CRS/restraint use, nearly two thirds (64%) made at least one error (Simpson et al 2006). Indeed, studies show that CRS misuse and/or inappropriate use is widespread (Glanvill 2000;Koppel and Charlton 2009;Obviously a man designed it 2001;Paine 1998;Rudin-Brown et al 2003Paine and Vertsonis 2001). For example, Glanvill (2000) reported that 69 percent of the 4600 CRS checked between 1996 and 1999 in the Australian state of Victoria involved faulty installation and/or use, and a disturbing proportion (25%) of these faults were judged to be major.…”

“…The most common forms of misuse included harness strap errors such as the straps twisted, poorly adjusted, and/or incorrectly positioned (38%); seat belt errors such as the seat belt being incorrectly routed, twisted, and/or incorrectly adjusted (32%); and missing or incorrect fitting of gated buckle/locking clip (23%). Koppel and Charlton (2009) also reported that there were significant differences across restraint types in terms of the proportion of misuse and/or inappropriate use, χ 2 (2) = 51.42, P < .001. The rate of misuse was highest for the forward-facing CRS (88%) compared to rearward-facing infant seats (67%) and booster seats or cushions (63%).…”

“…However, recent research has revealed that Australian CRS use rates may belie a number of errors in CRS use (Brown, Hatfield, et al 2010a, 2010bKoppel and Charlton 2009). For example, Koppel and Charlton (2009) reported on the incidence of CRS misuse and/or inappropriate use through a free CRS inspection program that was advertised at Australian childcare centers, kindergartens, community centers, hospitals, and child expos/trade fairs. Of the 1995 CRS inspected, the majority (79%) were reported as having at least one instance of misuse and/or inappropriate use.…”

Study on Car Seat Ease-of-Use Rating Based on Safety Factors in China

“…Fig. 3 The use rate of car seat in 5 cities in China The questionnaire involves 5 common misuse modes of car seat [12,13,14,15]: wrong seat installation position, slack seat belt (SB), slack harness belt (HB), twisted SB and twisted HB. Through the survey, 6.2% parents install the car seat on the front passenger seat.…”