New! Sign up for our free email newsletter.
Science News
from research organizations

Standardized child booster seat laws would save lives, study suggests

Date:
October 22, 2012
Source:
American Academy of Pediatrics
Summary:
State laws that mandate car booster seat use for children at least until age eight are associated with fewer motor vehicle-related fatalities and severe injuries, and should be standardized throughout the US to optimally protect children, according to new research.
Share:
FULL STORY

State laws that mandate car booster seat use for children at least until age 8are associated with fewer motor vehicle-related fatalities and severe injuries, and should be standardized throughout the U.S. to optimally protect children, according to new research presented Oct. 22 at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans.

The AAP recommends that children be secured in a belt-positioning booster seat until the child reaches 4 feet, 9 inches in height, sometime between the ages of 8 and 12. While many states have booster seat laws that mirror these requirements, some states have varying standards for how long a child should remain in the booster seat. For example, some states only require booster seat use until the age of 6 or 7.

In "Booster Seat Laws Reduce Motor Vehicle Fatalities and Injury," researchers reviewed data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System between January 1999 and December 2009, comparing fatality and incapacitating injury rates in states before and after booster seat legislation.

There were 9,848 fatalities and incapacitating injuries in children ages 4 to 8 over the 10-year period. The study found a decreased rate (20 percent) of death/incapacitating injuries for children 4-6 years old in states with booster seat laws compared to states without booster seat laws, and an even higher reduction (33 percent) in the 7- to 8-years-old age bracket. Children ages 4 to 6 with no or improper restraint were twice as likely to suffer death or an incapacitating injury, and 7- to 8-year-olds were four times as likely compared to those child properly restrained in a booster seat.

In addition, children ages 4 to 6 with only a lap/shoulder belt (no booster seat) had a 20 percent increased odds of death or an incapacitating injury, compared to children properly restrained in a booster seat. The odds ratio was even more pronounced among 7- to 8-year-olds: a 70 percent increased risk of death or incapacitating injury for children wearing only a lap/shoulder belt.

"Many states have booster seat laws. However, there are different requirements for how long the child should remain in the booster seat," said Lois K. Lee, MD, FAAP, the senior author of the abstract. "Our analysis supports the fact that booster seat laws should follow AAP standards to optimally protect children when they are riding in a motor vehicle."


Story Source:

Materials provided by American Academy of Pediatrics. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Rebekah Mannix, Eric Fleegler, William P. Meehan III, Sara A. Schutzman, Kara Hennelly, Lise Nigrovic, and Lois K. Lee. Booster Seat Laws and Fatalities in Children 4 to 7 Years of Age. Pediatrics, November 5, 2012 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2012-1058

Cite This Page:

American Academy of Pediatrics. "Standardized child booster seat laws would save lives, study suggests." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 22 October 2012. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121022080643.htm>.
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2012, October 22). Standardized child booster seat laws would save lives, study suggests. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 19, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121022080643.htm
American Academy of Pediatrics. "Standardized child booster seat laws would save lives, study suggests." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121022080643.htm (accessed March 19, 2024).

Explore More

from ScienceDaily

MORE COVERAGE

RELATED STORIES