Pediatrics in Review
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 Vol. 18 No. 12, December 1997
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(Pediatrics in Review. 1997;18:413-423.)
© 1997 American Academy of Pediatrics

Child Occupant Protection In Motor Vehicles

Phyllis Agran, MD, MPH*
Diane Winn, RN, MPH{dagger}
Craig Anderson, DHSc, PhD
* Departments of Pediatrics and Health Policy and Research.

{dagger} Department of Health Policy and Research, University of California, Irvine, CA.
Department of Health Policy and Research, University of California, Irvine, CA.


   IMPORTANT POINTS
 

  1. Motor vehicle occupant injuries are the leading cause of injury for children through 14 years of age. Proper use of protective devices will significantly affect death and disability from motor vehicle crashes.
  2. Children must use age-appropriate restraint systems when traveling in motor vehicles. Misuse of child restraint systems is exceedingly high and can result in serious injury and death in a crash.
  3. Children must not be placed in the front seat of a vehicle in which there is an air bag.
  4. The preferred seating site for children is in the back seat.
  5. Pediatricians are in a unique position to report injuries and new patterns of injury, counsel parents, and advocate for public policies that increase protection of child occupants of motor vehicles.


   Introduction
 
Protection of occupants in motor vehicle crashes has evolved into a technical and complex multidisciplinary field. Issues related to occupant safety have been addressed at both the national and international level, resulting in major public health policies and standards to govern occupant protection and the manufacture of vehicles. Those providing health care for children are in a unique position to influence injury prevention behaviors and, therefore, must be aware of the latest recommendations for child occupant protection.

Motor vehicle safety is based on the science of human factors and engineering, biomechanics of crashes, and epidemiologic studies of injuries to occupants in crashes. The redesign of roads, vehicles, and restraint systems emanates from these investigations. Examples of vehicle modifications aimed at improved occupant protection include shatter-proof glass, bumpers, and other energy-absorbing exterior structures that can withstand crash forces. Changes in the interior of the vehicle to create a more "friendly" environment have included elimination of dangerous and sharp objects on the dashboard, development of steering columns that collapse on impact, and redesign of side door structure to increase protection . . . [Full Text of this Article]






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Copyright © 1997 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.