Results of the National Child Restraint Use Special Study
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted the National Child Restraint Use Special Study (NCRUSS) in 2011, observing the use of car seats and booster seats for child passengers (birth to 8 years old) in 4,167 vehicles. The study also interviewed drivers on their attitudes and beliefs about car seats and booster seats as well as their confidence with installing them. The NCRUSS is a nationally representative survey. Results showed that 94 percent of children were restrained in car seats or booster seats, 4 percent were restrained in seat belts, and 2 percent were unrestrained. By car seat or booster seat type, 50 percent of children were restrained in forward-facing car seats, 31 percent were restrained in booster seats, 9 percent were restrained in rear-facing infant car seats, and 4 percent were restrained in rear-facing convertible car seats. “Misuse” of car seats and booster seats is defined as a characteristic of installing the car seat/booster seat to the vehicle, or of restraining the child in a car seat/booster seat that may reduce the protection of the car seat/booster seat in the event of a crash. Not every divergence from a perfect installation was considered “misuse” for this study. Results showed that estimated overall car seat and booster seat misuse was 46 percent. By car seat or booster seat type, estimated misuse rates were 61 percent for forward-facing car seats, 49 percent for rear-facing infant car seats, 44 percent for rear-facing convertible car seats, 24 percent for backless booster seats, and 16 percent for highback booster seats. The NCRUSS also provides data on lower anchor connectors and tether strap installations (LATCH installations). Results showed that rear-facing car seats (both infant and convertible car seats) equipped with lower anchor connectors in seating positions equipped with lower anchors were more likely installed with lower anchor connectors (87%) than seat belts (22%). Similarly, forward-facing car seats equipped with lower anchor connectors and tether strap in seating positions equipped with lower anchors and tether anchor were more likely installed with lower anchors connectors and tether strap (48%) than the seat belt (27%).
- Record URL:
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Corporate Authors:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC United States 20590 -
Authors:
- Greenwell, Nathan K
- Publication Date: 2015-5
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Digital/other
- Features: Appendices; Glossary; References; Tables;
- Pagination: 66p
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Attitudes; Child restraint systems; Children; Drivers; Installation; Surveys; Vehicle safety
- Identifier Terms: Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
- Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01570624
- Record Type: Publication
- Report/Paper Numbers: DOT HS 812 142
- Files: HSL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
- Created Date: Jul 24 2015 12:08PM