FACTORS AFFECTING CONSUMER USAGE AND ACCEPTANCE OF CHILD RESTRAINTS

This study was designed to focus on two factors with potential relevance to the child restraint device (CRD) usage problem: CRD design and directions for use; problems of initial users and repeated users were targeted for consideration. Ultimate objectives were to develop recommendations for educational programming designed to improve proper CRD usage, for improving manufacturers' instructions for CRD use, and for improving CRD design. Observational and self-report measures were used to collect data for the study. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses of data were conducted. A wide range of success rates for CRD installation were noted, both in relation to type of CRD and CRD component. In general, lowest success rates for CRD installation were found for CRDs with tether straps and those with more complex designs. Little systematic variation was noted in relation to type of instructions. Many positive and negative comments about CRD design were noted. Two panels of professionals were organized to review study results and make recommendations. One panel, composed of engineers, was focussed on improving CRD design for facilitating consumer acceptance and usage. The other panel, composed of educators, was focussed on improving instructions and other means of providing usage information to consumers.

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• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/1380
• Corporate Authors:

  Southeastern Transportation Center

  University of Tennessee
  309 Conference Center Building
  Knoxville, TN  United States  37996-4133

  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Cunningham, J L
  • Jozwiak, W
  • Philpot, J W
• Publication Date: 1983-9

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 195 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Acceptance; Child restraint systems; Consumers; Data analysis; Data collection; Design; Education; Mathematical analysis; Utilization
• Uncontrolled Terms: Instructions
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Research; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00394300
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: Final Rpt., HS-806 543
• Contract Numbers: DTNH-22-81-C-07083
• Files: HSL, NTL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jun 30 1985 12:00AM