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Booster Seat Effectiveness Among Older Children: Evidence From Washington State
D Mark Anderson1, Lindsay L Carlson2, Daniel I Rees3
1Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana.
Insights
Booster seats significantly reduce injury risk for children aged 8-12 in car crashes. Encouraging booster seat use could prevent many child injuries.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Safety
- Traffic Injury Prevention
- Public Health
Background:
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends booster seats for children up to 12 years old.
- Limited data exists on booster seat effectiveness for older children (8-12 years).
- This study addresses the gap in knowledge regarding booster seat use in this age group.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the association between booster seat use and injury risk in children aged 8-12 involved in motor vehicle crashes.
- To compare injury rates between children using booster seats and those using seat belts alone.
- To inform public health policies aimed at reducing child injuries in motor vehicle accidents.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of motor vehicle crash data for children aged 8-12 from Washington State (2002-2015).
- Comparison of injury outcomes for children in booster seats versus seat belts only.
- Logistic regression used to control for potential confounding factors.
Main Results:
- Booster seat use was associated with a 29% reduction in odds of any injury in unadjusted models.
- Adjusted models showed a 19% reduction in the odds of any injury for booster seat users compared to seat belt only.
- No significant association was found between booster use and incapacitating/fatal injuries.
Conclusions:
- Children aged 8-12 in motor vehicle crashes have lower injury risk when using booster seats versus seat belts alone.
- Low booster seat usage rates (10%) among 8-12 year olds present an opportunity for injury reduction.
- Policies promoting booster seat adoption could significantly decrease child injuries in traffic incidents.
Introduction:
The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that children as old as 12 years use a booster seat when riding in motor vehicles, yet little is known about booster seat effectiveness when used by older children. This study estimated the association between booster use and injuries among children aged 8-12 years who were involved in motor vehicle crashes.
Methods:
Researchers analyzed data on all motor vehicle crashes involving children aged 8-12 years reported to the Washington State Department of Transportation from 2002 to 2015. Data were collected in 2015 and analyzed in 2016. Children who were in a booster seat were compared with children restrained by a seat belt alone. Logistic regression was used to adjust for potential confounders.
Results:
In unadjusted models, booster use was associated with a 29% reduction in the odds of experiencing any injury versus riding in a seat belt alone (OR=0.709, 95% CI=0.675, 0.745). In models adjusted for potential confounders, booster use was associated with a 19% reduction in the odds of any injury relative to riding in a seat belt alone (OR=0.814, 95% CI=0.749, 0.884). The risk of experiencing an incapacitating/fatal injury was not associated with booster use.
Conclusions:
Children aged 8-12 years involved in a motor vehicle crash are less likely to be injured if in a booster than if restrained by a seat belt alone. Because only 10% of U.S. children aged 8-12 years use booster seats, policies encouraging their use could lead to fewer injuries.
