Evaluating the effectiveness of child safety seats and seat belts in protecting children from injury.: An article from: Economic Inquiry

This digital document is an article from Economic Inquiry, published by Western Economic Association International on July 1, 2010. The length of the article is 10141 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the author: Young children are required to use child safety seats, and the age threshold at which children can legally graduate to seat belts has steadily increased. This article tests the relative effectiveness of child safety seats, lap-and-shoulder seat belts, and lap belts in preventing injuries among motor vehicle passengers aged 2-6 yr. We analyze three large, representative samples of crashes reported to police, as well as linked hospital data. We find no apparent difference in the two most serious injury categories for children in child safety seats versus lap-and-shoulder belts. Child safety seats provide a statistically significant 25% reduction in the least serious injury category. Lap belts are somewhat less effective than the two other types of restraints but far superior to riding unrestrained. (JEL I18)

Citation Details
Title: Evaluating the effectiveness of child safety seats and seat belts in protecting children from injury.
Author: Joseph J., Jr. Doyle
Publication:Economic Inquiry (Magazine/Journal)
Date: July 1, 2010
Publisher: Western Economic Association International
Volume: 48 Issue: 3 Page: 521(16)

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