The Introduction of Booster Seat Legislation in Canada: Is it Working?

This study describes how booster seat legislation may decrease the burden of motor vehicle occupant injury in children 4–9 years old. The study examined rates of hospitalizations for motor vehicle (MV) occupant-related injuries, seatbelt-related injuries and MV occupant-related fatalities in Canadian children, comparing provinces with legislation (Ontario 2005, Quebec 2003) to those without legislation. Hospital discharge data was obtained for 1994–2005 from the Discharge Abstract Database (DAD) and the Hospital Morbidity Database (HMDB). Fatality rates were obtained from the Traffic Accident Information Database (TRAID). Population based injury and death rate ratios were calculated and changes from 1994 to 2005 were determined. There were a total of 3,920 MV occupant-related hospitalizations and 358 MV occupant-related fatalities in Canadian children aged 4–9. In 2005, Ontario had a significantly lower rate of hospitalization for MV occupant-related injuries after legislation. Rates of hospitalizations and fatalities declined from 1994 to 2005 across all provinces regardless of legislation status. Ontario had significantly higher rate reductions and a consistently lower annual rate of MV occupant-related hospitalizations than other provinces. Injury and death rates were higher in Quebec and increased after legislation was introduced. Results indicate heterogeneity between the two provinces with booster seat legislation and the simple presence of booster seat legislation is not sufficient to decrease the burden of motor vehicle occupant injuries.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/13538047
• Authors:
  • Howard, A
  • Rothman, L
  • Lee, P
• Conference:
  • Safety 2010. 10th World Conference
  • Location: London , United Kingdom
  • Date: 2010-9-21 to 2010-9-24
• Publication Date: 2010-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Pagination: v.p.
• Monograph Title: Safety 2010 World Conference
• Serial:
  • Injury Prevention
  • Volume: 16
  • Issue Number: Supplement 1
  • Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
  • ISSN: 1353-8047
  • EISSN: 1475-5785
  • Serial URL: http://injuryprevention.bmj.com/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Booster seats; Child restraint systems; Crash data; Crash injuries; Fatalities; Hospital emergency rooms; Human factors in crashes; Laws and legislation
• Geographic Terms: Canada
• Subject Areas: Highways; Policy; Safety and Human Factors; I80: Accident Studies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01328051
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 20 2011 11:22AM