Virtual car seat checks during a pandemic

2020 ◽  
pp. injuryprev-2020-044009
Author(s):  
Sadiqa Kendi ◽  
Michael F Taylor ◽  
James Chamberlain
Keyword(s):  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Car Seat ◽  
Restraint Use ◽  
Passenger Safety ◽  
Health Community ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Child Restraint ◽  
Children And Young Adults

Motor vehicle collisions are one of the leading causes of death and morbidity in children and young adults in the USA, and suboptimal child restraint use is an important risk factor for severe childhood injury and death. The restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have presented unique challenges to the public health community, including how to use certified child passenger safety technicians through car seat checks. This case series assessed the feasibility of performing remote car seat checks and parental satisfaction with them. It provides preliminary evidence that remote car seat checks are feasible in a real-world environment and acceptable to caregivers during times in which in-person car seat checks are not safe or accessible.

scholarly journals Rideshare use among parents and their children

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johnathon P. Ehsani ◽  
Jeffrey P. Michael ◽  
Andrea Gielen
Keyword(s):  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
College Education ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Legal Guardian ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Risk Of Injury ◽  
Restraint Use ◽  
Child Restraint ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Child Restraint System

AbstractMotor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for young children. Millions of ridesharing trips are taken each day, and use of these services is predicted to increase. Therefore, it is important to examine the safety of children in these vehicles. We conducted a survey of a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults aged 18 years or older (N = 2017). Of the total sample, 450 respondents reported being a parent or legal guardian of children below the age of 10. Of these, 307 or 68% had ever used ridesharing. Among those who had used ridesharing, a total of 253 or 82% reported using ridesharing with their children below the age of 10 years. Among this group, rideshare use was significantly higher among individuals with college education, and in higher income households. Given that the majority of U.S. states have legislation exempting rideshare vehicles from child restraint system law coverage, our finding of high rates of rideshare use among parents suggests that a large number of children could be at risk of injury due to a lack of appropriate restraint use.

scholarly journals Systematic review of child passenger safety laws and their associations with child restraint system use, injuries and deaths

2021 ◽  
pp. injuryprev-2021-044196
Author(s):  
Emma B Sartin ◽  
Leah R Lombardi ◽  
Jessica H Mirman
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Restraint System ◽  
Child Passenger Safety ◽  
Booster Seat ◽  
Restraint Use ◽  
Passenger Safety ◽  
System Use ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Child Restraint ◽  
Child Restraint System

Background and objectiveMany countries and all US states have legislation that mandates how children of certain ages and/or sizes should be restrained in vehicles. The objective of the current systematic review was to describe the associations between legislation and three outcomes: child restraint system use, correct child restraint system use and child passenger injuries/deaths.MethodsIncluded studies were published between 2004 and 2020 and evaluated associations between child passenger safety laws and the outcomes described above. Three literature searches using three search terms (child passenger safety, car seat use, booster seat use) were completed in PubMed and PsycINFO, with the last search occurring in January 2021. Studies are presented based on the outcome(s) they evaluated. The original protocol for this review is registered with PROSPERO (ID: CRD42019149682).ResultsEighteen studies from five different countries evaluating a variety of different types of legislation were included. Overall, positive associations between legislation and the three outcomes were reported. However, there were important nuances across studies, including negative associations between booster seat legislation and correct child restraint use. Further, there were also negative associations between various types of legislation and outcomes for populations with less formal education and lower incomes, and for racial and ethnic minorities.ConclusionOverall, child passenger safety legislation appears to be positively associated with child restraint system use, correct child restraint use and child passenger injuries/deaths. However, there is a need to more comprehensively characterise how different types of legislation influence child passenger safety outcomes to promote equitable effects across populations.

Childhood Crash Injury Patterns Associated with Restraint Misuse: Implications for Field Triage

2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eileen M. Bulger ◽  
Robert Kaufman ◽  
Charles Mock
Keyword(s):  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Injury Patterns ◽  
Car Seats ◽  
Restraint Use ◽  
Field Triage ◽  
Booster Seats ◽  
Injury Research

AbstractIntroduction:Restraint misuse is a common problem leading to increased morbidity and mortality for children involved in motor vehicle crashes. The purpose of this project was to describe the injury patterns associated with restraint misuse in the pediatric population, with particular focus on clues to significant injury that can be identified by the prehospital provider that may impact subsequent triage decisions.Methods:This is a case series presentation that illustrates the injury patterns associated with various types of restraint misuse in infants (ages 0–1 years), toddlers (age 1–4 years), young children (ages 4–8 years), and pre-teens (ages 8–14 years). Cases were identified from the Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network (CIREN) database.Results:Six cases are presented that illustrate the injury patterns associated with misuse of rear-facing infant car seats (0–1 years), forward-facing child seats (1–4 years), booster seats (4–8 years), and shoulder belts (8–14 years). Prehospital assessment of appropriate restraint use is described.Conclusions:Restraint misuse in children is a common problem. Emergency medical services providers need to be aware of these issues when assessing children and determining appropriate triage to a trauma center. Ongoing educational efforts also are vital to inform parents regarding the risks of inappropriate restraint use and can encourage legislators to better define appropriate restraint use for older children.

scholarly journals Study protocol: a randomised non-inferiority trial using interactive virtual presence to remotely assist parents with child restraint installations

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 289-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C Schwebel ◽  
Jennifer Morag MacKay ◽  
David Redden
Keyword(s):  
Study Protocol ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Car Seats ◽  
Car Seat ◽  
Visual Interaction ◽  
Virtual Presence ◽  
Child Restraint ◽  
Reduce Risk ◽  
Serious Injury ◽  
American Children

BackgroundMotor vehicle crashes are the third-leading cause of death to American children aged 1–5 years. When installed correctly, child restraints (car seats) reduce risk of serious injury and death. However, most restraints are installed incorrectly. The current gold standard for correct installation is systematic car seat checks, where certified technicians help parents, but car seat checks are highly underused due to barriers in access, scheduling and resources.MethodsThe present study protocol describes plans to evaluate use of interactive virtual presence technology (interactive merged reality)—joint, simultaneous remote verbal and visual interaction and exposure to the same 3D stimuli—to assist remotely located parents installing child restraints. If effective, this technology could supplement or replace in-person checks and revolutionise how government, industry and non-profits help parents install child restraints properly. Building from preliminary studies, we propose a randomised non-inferiority trial to evaluate whether parents who install child restraints while communicating with remote expert technicians via interactive virtual presence on their smartphones achieve installations and learning not inferior in safety to parents who install restraints with on-site technicians. We will randomly assign 1476 caregivers at 7 US sites to install child restraints either via interactive virtual presence or live technicians. Correctness of installation will be assessed using objective checklists, both following installation and again 4 months later.ConclusionWe aim to demonstrate that child restraint installation is accurate (>90% correct) when conducted remotely, that such installations are not inferior to installation accuracy with live experts and that parents learn and retain information about child restraint installation.

scholarly journals Analysis of Trends and Correlation in Child Restraint Use and Seating Position of Child Passengers in Motor Vehicles: Application of a Bivariate Probit Model

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghna Chakraborty ◽  
Shakir Mahmud ◽  
Timothy Gates
Keyword(s):  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Probit Model ◽  
Motor Vehicles ◽  
Bivariate Probit ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Bivariate Probit Model ◽  
Restraint Use ◽  
Dependent Variables ◽  
Child Restraint ◽  
Seating Position

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death and injury for children under 8 years. While different states are showing increases in the proportion of child restraint device use, only around half of the children aged between 4 to 7 years are being properly restrained. This study was undertaken to identify the factors contributing to the proper child restraint use and child passenger’s seating position through the direct observation surveys of more than 10,000 child passengers in 2015 and 2018 in Michigan. A bivariate probit model was developed to simultaneously identify the contributing factors for the proper restraint use and seating position of child passengers. The bivariate framework is able to account for correlation of the two dependent variables in the study. The results show that the two dependent variables are positively correlated, and this correlation is strongly significant. Also, the key factors simultaneously influencing proper child restraint use and appropriate seating position of the child passenger include the age of the child, number of the child passengers in the vehicle, driver belt use, driver gender, age, and race, vehicle type, stratum, weather, and the time of the day and week. However, factors such as county-specific population, income, and education, and the type of location did not have a significant association with either child restraint use or the seating position of the child passenger.

scholarly journals Factors Associated With Child Restraint Use in Motor Vehicle Crashes

2018 ◽  
Vol 57 (12) ◽  
pp. 1423-1431
Author(s):  
Franklin Privette ◽  
Ann Nwosu ◽  
Caitlin N Pope ◽  
Jingzhen Yang ◽  
Joyce C Pressley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Motor Vehicle Crashes ◽  
Adjusted Relative Risk ◽  
Vehicle Crashes ◽  
White Children ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Restraint Use ◽  
Age Appropriate ◽  
Child Restraint

Motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) are a leading cause of death among children. Multivariable analyses of age-appropriate child restraint system (CRS) use in the “booster-aged” population are needed. The current study identified factors associated with age-appropriate CRS use in fatal MVCs for children 4 to 7 years old, using 2011 to 2015 data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System. Of 929 MVC fatalities, 32% of fatally injured children were in an age-appropriate restraint. While age-appropriate CRS use was higher for 4-, 5-, and 6-year-olds relative to 7-year-olds (adjusted relative risk [aRR] = 2.57, 2.51, and 2.18, respectively; p < .01 for each comparison), black children (aRR = 0.62; p < .01) relative to white children, and drivers who had not used a lap-shoulder belt (aRR = 0.40; p < .01) relative to belted drivers were associated with lower levels of age-appropriate CRS use. Our findings underscore the continued importance of communicating best practice guidelines on CRSs to caregivers of young children.

scholarly journals What Are the Restraint Practices, Preferences, and Experiences When Australian Parents Travel with Their Children in a Rideshare Vehicle?

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (17) ◽  
pp. 8928
Author(s):  
Sjaan Koppel ◽  
Sujanie Peiris ◽  
Mohammed Aburumman ◽  
Chernyse W. R. Wong ◽  
Justin M. Owens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Household Income ◽  
Short Distance ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Australian Capital Territory ◽  
Driver Safety ◽  
Specific Policy ◽  
The Past ◽  
Restraint Use ◽  
Child Restraint

This study aimed to explore the preferences, experiences and restraint practices of Australian parents travelling with their children in rideshare vehicles. Six hundred and thirty-one participants completed an online survey (M = 39.2 years, SD = 10.5, Range = 18.0–70.0 years; Female: 63.4%). Most participants (59.1%) reported that they had not travelled in a rideshare vehicle with their youngest child (M = 7.2 years, SD = 5.2, Range = 0.0–17.0 years; Male: 54.2%). Participants who reported that they have travelled with their youngest child in a rideshare vehicle tended to: be younger, identify as male, have completed an Undergraduate or Postgraduate degree, reside in the Australian Capital Territory, earning a higher yearly household income, and were involved in an at-fault crash in the past two years. In addition, these participants were: less likely to have a ‘younger’ youngest child, less likely to ‘always’ wear a seatbelt while travelling in their private motor vehicle, and also less likely to ‘always’ restrain their child in an appropriate restraint while travelling in their private motor vehicle. Prohibitive reasons for not travelling in a rideshare vehicle included: cost (29.3%), concerns over driver safety (27.5%), concerns over travelling with children in a rideshare service (24.8%), or inconvenience (24.3%). Participants who reported that they had travelled in a rideshare vehicle with their youngest child reported lower rates of appropriate restraint use within the rideshare vehicle (57.3%) than when travelling in their private motor vehicle (85.6%). Reasons associated with inappropriate restraint use within the rideshare vehicle included: unavailability of a child restraint (39.6%), travelling a short distance (33.0%), were not required to use one in this situation (33.0%), or the parent did not have a restraint with them (26.4%). Given the increasing popularity of rideshare services in Australia, and globally, the urgent adaption of rideshare-specific policy, legislation, education, and design in relation to child restraint requirements is needed to ensure the safety of child occupants.

scholarly journals COVID Lockdowns, Social Distancing, and Fatal Car Crashes: More Deaths on Hobbesian Highways?

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 238-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marshall W. Meyer
Keyword(s):  
World War Ii ◽  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Traffic Volume ◽  
Similar Data ◽  
World War ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Usa

Abstract Research Question What happened to US traffic safety during the first US COVID-19 lockdown, and why was the pattern the opposite of that observed in previous sudden declines of traffic volume? Data National and local statistics on US traffic volume, traffic fatalities, injury accidents, speeding violations, running of stop signs, and other indicators of vehicular driving behavior, both in 2020 and in previous US economic recessions affecting the volume of road traffic. Methods Comparative analysis of the similarities and differences between the data for the COVID-19 lockdown in parts of the USA in March 2020 and similar data for the 2008–2009 global economic crisis, as well as other US cases of major reductions in traffic volume. Findings The volume of traffic contracted sharply once a COVID-19 national emergency was declared and most states issued stay-at-home orders, but motor vehicle fatality rates, injury accidents, and speeding violations went up, and remained elevated even as traffic began returning toward normal. This pattern does not fit post-World War II recessions where fatality rates declined with the volume of traffic nor does the 2020 pattern match the pattern during World War II when traffic dropped substantially with little change in motor vehicle fatality rates. Conclusions The findings are consistent with a theory of social distancing on highways undermining compliance with social norms, a social cost of COVID which, if not corrected, poses potential long-term increases in non-compliance and dangerous driving.

scholarly journals Using Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System (CODES) to examine injury in front vs. rear-seated infants and children involved in a motor vehicle crash in New York State

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Bauer ◽  
Leah Hines ◽  
Emilia Pawlowski ◽  
Jin Luo ◽  
Anne Scott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Evaluation System ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
New York State ◽  
Outcome Data ◽  
Crash Severity ◽  
Front Seat ◽  
York State ◽  
Child Restraint ◽  
Ed Visits

Abstract Background In New York State (NYS), motor vehicle (MV) injury to child passengers is a leading cause of hospitalization and emergency department (ED) visits in children aged 0–12 years. NYS laws require appropriate child restraints for ages 0–7 years and safety belts for ages 8 and up while traveling in a private passenger vehicle, but do not specify a seating position. Methods Factors associated with injury in front-seated (n = 11,212) compared to rear-seated (n = 93,092) passengers aged 0–12 years were examined by age groups 0–3, 4–7 and 8–12 years using the 2012–2014 NYS Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System (CODES). CODES consists of Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) crash reports linked to ED visits and hospitalizations. The front seat was row 1 and the rear rows 2–3. Vehicle towed from scene and air bag deployed were proxies for crash severity. Injury was dichotomized based on Maximum Abbreviated Injury Severity (MAIS) scores greater than zero. Multivariable logistic regression (odds ratios (OR) with 95% CI) was used to examine factors predictive of injury for the total population and for each age group. Results Front-seated children had more frequent injury than those rear-seated (8.46% vs. 4.92%, p < 0.0001). Children in child restraints experienced fewer medically-treated injuries compared to seat belted or unrestrained children (3.80, 6.50 and 13.62%, p < 0.0001 respectively). A higher proportion of children traveling with an unrestrained vs. restrained driver experienced injury (14.50% vs 5.26%, p < 0.0001). After controlling for crash severity, multivariable adjusted predictors of injury for children aged 0–12 years included riding in the front seat (1.20, 1.10–1.31), being unrestrained vs. child restraint (2.13, 1.73–2.62), being restrained in a seat belt vs. child restraint (1.20, 1.11–1.31), and traveling in a car vs. other vehicle type (1.21, 1.14–1.28). Similarly, protective factors included traveling with a restrained driver (0.61, 0.50–0.75), a driver aged < 25 years (0.91, 0.82–0.99), being an occupant of a later vehicle model year 2005–2008 (0.68, 0.53–0.89) or 2009–2015 (0.55, 0.42–0.71) compared to older model years (1970–1993). Conclusions Compared to front-seated children, rear-seated children and children in age-appropriate restraints had lower adjusted odds of medically-treated injury.

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