The National Survey of the Use of Booster Seats (NSUBS)

Transcription

1 The National Survey of the Use of Booster Seats (NSUBS) Data and Research New Booster Seat Research Session Presented at Lifesavers 2008 DOT HS Dennis E. Utter Director Office of Traffic Records and Analysis National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 1

2 Outline Background Survey design & methodology NSUBS results National estimate of booster seat use Restraint use by age & race/ethnicity Premature graduation of children to restraint types that are inappropriate for their height or weight. NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 2

3 Background NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 3

4 Booster Age Children An Area of Particular Concern Each year, among children age 4 to 7 Fatalities 350 child occupants die in vehicle crashes Only 49% of them are restrained Injuries: 49,000 are injured. NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 4

5 A Data Need Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation Act of 2000 (TREAD) directed DOT to develop a five year strategic plan to reduce by 25% deaths and injuries among 4 to 8 year olds caused by failure to use booster seats. Thus DOT needed data on who are and who are not using booster seats in order to target outreach programs. NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 5

6 This Data Did Not Exist Previous estimates of booster seat use were not sufficiently reliable. Some were obtained from nonprobability samples Results might not be representative. Can t measure error. Others were obtained via telephone surveys. Respondents might be reluctant to say their children were not in booster seats. Observing use is preferable. NOPUS only provides partial information on booster seat use. NOPUS provides estimated use of high-backed (but not backless) booster seats among children 4 to 7. NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 6

7 And Thus the NSUBS Was Born The NSUBS fixes the shortcomings of the prior attempts to estimate booster use: A survey collecting data via face-to-face interviews combined with observation. Interviews to get age, height, & weight Observation to get restraint use Conducted at a probability sample of nationwide sites. NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 7

8 NSUBS Survey Design & Methodology NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 8

9 Data Collection Sites Four types of sites Gas stations, recreation centers, daycare centers, and fast-food restaurants Why these types? Need to observe stopped vehicles Want to go where kids are NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 9

10 Data Collection Data collectors approached all vehicles that appeared to have at least one child under the age of 13. Data collectors observed some data and recorded other data via interview NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 10

11 Data Collection Data collected by observation Restraint type Gender, seating position Vehicle type, site type, urbanization, weather, date, time; age group for occupants age 13+ Data collected by interview Race/ethnicity Age, height, & weight of children up to age 12 Interview conducted with an adult occupant Note: Data collected on up to 9 occupants in first 3 rows of seats. NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 11

12 2007 NSUBS Survey Selected a probability sample of 675 sites in 16 geographical areas, each of which comprises one or more counties. Collected data from 430 sites. Site cooperation rate: 64% Out of the 430 sites Daycare centers: 38 Fast-food restaurants: 134 Gas stations: 218 Recreation centers: 40 NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 12

13 Dates and Counts (2007) Dates of observation July 19 August 2, 2007 We observed 430 sites 4,828 vehicles 7,518 children up to age 12 4,828 drivers and 1,810 other occupants We interviewed (questions directed to an adult) 4,431 children age 0-12 Age less than 1: 330 Age 1-3: 1,494 Age 4-7: 2,471 Age 8-12: 2,265 NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 13

14 NSUBS Results NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 14

15 Booster Seat Use: The National Estimate NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 15

16 Booster Seat Use the National Estimate 37% 37% of children age 4 to 7 were restrained in booster seats in 2007, slightly decreased from 41% in The decrease is NOT statistically significant. 46% of children age 4 and 5 were restrained in booster seats in % of children age 6 and 7 were restrained in booster seats in NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 16

17 Booster Seat Use the National Estimate Restraint Use for Kids Age 4 to 7 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% Distribution of Restraint Types Among Children Age 4 to 7 in 2006 and % 13% % 37% 33% 35% STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT INCREASE 9% 15% Safety Seat Booster Seat Seat Belt Unrestrained As many as one-half of children age 4 to 7 were not being properly protected in NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 17

18 Restraint Use by Age & Race/Ethnicity NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 18

19 NSUBS Race/Ethnicity Protocols NSUBS collects race/ethnicity of all occupants. 10 Race/Ethnicity Categories* For reporting purposes, some categories are collapsed. Hispanic or Latino and Not Hispanic nor Latino and American Indian or Alaska Native American Indian or Alaska Native Asian Asian Black or African-American Black or African-American Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander White White *OMB standard NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 19

20 Child Restraint Use by Age in % Restraint Use 90% 80% 70% 60% 98% 96% 85% 83% 50% Age 0-12 Months Age 1-3 Years Age 4-7 Years Age 8-12 Years NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 20

21 Child Restraint Use by Age and Race / Ethnicity in 2007 Restraint Use 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 87% 100% 98% 100% NA Age 0-12 Months Hispanic White Non-Hispanic Other Non-Hispanic 91% 82% 99% NA 95% 75% 73% 94% 90% 87% 78% 82%86% 99% Age 1-3 Years Age 4-7Years Age 8-12 Years 78% African-American Non-Hispanic Asian Non-Hispanic Note: Multiracial children excluded NA: Insufficient data for reliable estimate NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 21

22 Premature Graduation of Children up to Age 12 NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 22

23 Premature Graduation Out of Rear Facing Safety Seats NHTSA Recommendation Infants should be kept in the back seat in rear facing child safety seats as long as possible, up to the height or weight limit of the particular seat. At a minimum, infants should be kept rear facing until at least age 1 and at least 20 pounds NSUBS Findings About one fifth (19%) of children under age 1 were not in rear facing seats in About one quarter (23%) of children under 20 pounds (age 0 12) were not in rear facing seats in Over one quarter (28%) of children who are under age 1 or under 20 pounds were not in rear facing seats in Reminder: These findings are based on reported age & weight. NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 23

24 What Were These Kids In? As expected, most of the premature graduation for these children was to front facing safety seats. Distribution of Restraint Types in % Under Age 1 % of Children Using the Restraint Type 80% 60% 40% 20% 81% 77% 72% 14% 19% 22% Under 20 lbs Under Age 1 or Under 20 lbs 0% Rear-Facing Safety Seat Front-Facing Safety Seat 3% 3% 3% Seat Belt or Booster Seat 2% 1% 3% Unrestrained Note: Percentages may not add up to exactly 100% due to rounding NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 24

25 Changes Good news: More children under age 1 were restrained in rear facing child safety seats in 2007 and this 9 percentage point increase from 2006 to 2007 is statistically significant. Rear-Facing Child Safety Seat Use % of Children Using the Rear Facing Safety Seat 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT INCREASE 81% 72% % 77% 68% 72% 0% Under Age 1 Under 20 Pounds Under Age 1 or Under 20 Pounds NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 25

26 Premature Graduation Out of Front Facing Safety Seats NHTSA Recommendation When children outgrow their rear facing seats (at a minimum age 1 and at least 20 pounds) they should ride in front facing child safety seats, in the back seat, until they reach the upper weight or height limit of the particular seat (usually at around age 4 and 40 pounds). NSUBS Finding Almost half (44%) of children age 0 12 who are pounds were not in front facing seats in Note: Some pound children could be infants, which should be rear facing in NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 26

27 What Were These Kids In? Some of these children were in booster seats and some in seat belts. Distribution of Restraint Types in 2007 for Children Age 0-12 Who Are Lbs 100% % of Children Using the Restraint Type 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 5% Rear-Facing Safety Seat 56% Front -Facing Safety Seat 21% 10% 8% Booster Seat Seat Belt Unrestrained Note: Some booster seats have lower weight limits in the 20- to 40-pound range. NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 27

28 Premature Graduation to Seat Belts NHTSA Recommendation Once children outgrow their forward facing seats (usually at around age 4 and 40 pounds), they should ride in booster seats, in the back seat, until the vehicle seat belts fit properly. Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt fits across the chest (usually at age 8 or when they are 4 9 tall). NSUBS Findings Over half (56%) of children age 0 12 who are 37 to 53 inches tall were not in safety seats or boosters in More than 8 in 10 (86%) children age 0 12 who are 54 to 56 inches tall were not in safety seats or boosters in NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 28

29 What Were These Kids In? Many were in seat belts and a fair number were unrestrained. % of Children Using the Restraint Type Distribution of Restraint Types in 2007 for Children Age 0-12 Who Are Inches Tall 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% 3% Kids Inches Tall Kids Inches Tall 15% 11% 29% 71% 40% 15% 16% Safety Seat Booster Seat Seat Belt Unrestrained Note: 71% of children 54 to 56 inches tall were in seat belts instead of boosters. However, since 54 to 56 inches is marginally below NHTSA s recommended height limit for seat belts, it might not be significant as a public safety result. NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 29

30 Publications Technical Report (upcoming) Research Notes Booster Seat Use in 2007 (2006) Child Restraint Use in 2007 (2006) Demographic Results Child Restraint Use in 2007 (2006) Use of Correct Restraint Types Seat Belt Use in 2007 Race and Ethnicity Results Among Occupants Traveling With Children NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 30

31 End of Presentation NHTSA s National Center for Statistics & Analysis 31