Evaluation of the Rhode Island child restraint law

In Rhode Island, a law went into force July 1, 1980, requiring drivers to transport children who are in the front seats of vehicles in properly used child restraints. In the fourth month of the law, restraint use and travel in rear seats had increased moderately; the net result was an increase in proper restraint use in rear seats (11 to 23 per cent) and a decrease in unrestrained, front seat travel (41 to 26 per cent). (Am J Public Health 1981;71:742-743.)