Changes in child safety restraint use and parental driving behaviours in Italy

To evaluate the changes in prevalence of child-restraint correct use, level of parental information and parental driving behaviours in a population of North-Eastern Italy 2 years after a previous survey.

A mail survey of 514 families with children <12 years. We examined the prevalence of child restraint correct use, level of parental information, parental driving behaviours and the concordance between the responses to the current and previous survey. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors influencing correct restraint use.

Habitual restraint use was reported for 92.5% of children. The frequency of habitual use decreased with increasing child's age (p = 0.0143). Among children 3-7 years, correct restraint use was lower than in the previous survey (p = 0.0039). Increased child's age was associated with decreased likelihood of correct restraint use. Previous correct restraint use and parental information on child restraints, and current parental seat belt use were positively associated with correct use. In the last 2 years, only 17.5% of families have received information on transport safety. Most parents declared to comply with traffic regulations.

In our study area, the use of child restraints is common, although non-habitual use is reported, especially among older children. The information on transport safety is insufficient. Law enforcement and information campaigns could further enhance parental compliance with traffic regulations.