Project

Despite recent advances in motor vehicle and child restraint system (CRS) design, motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of child death in Australia (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2006) and in most OECD countries (Unicef, 2001). This is a significant public health problem, and the societal costs of child crash injuries are substantial. There is convincing evidence that children seated appropriately in CRS or booster seats are at least 60 percent less likely to be seriously injured than children wearing adult seat belts. However, it is also clear that inappropriate and incorrect usage rates, particularly amongst older children, are high (e.g. Koppel & Charlton, 2009; Snowdon et al., 2007; Glassbrenner & Jianquiang, 2007).  The consequences of such practices are clear: incorrect and inappropriate fitment and use of restraints can seriously reduce or nullify the safety benefits of these devices (Brown et al; 2005; 2006; Henderson, 1994; Paine & Vertsonis, 2001). Moreover, children’s poor restraint status may draw the attention of the driver/parent and lead to distraction and increased risk of involvement in a crash. The broad aims of the proposed project are to reduce fatal and serious injuries to children in motor vehicle crashes through advances in design of restraint systems and vehicles. The project is international in scope and innovative in its design, using naturalistic driving methods and covert video-recording techniques to observe child occupant and driver behaviour during normal day-to-day trips. The approach represents a fundamental shift in the principles of protecting children and drivers in motor vehicle crashes.