1. A National Perspective on Child Passenger Safety Thursday, April 27, 2006

2. Today’s Issues High use rates among infants and toddlers Drop in use as children get older Misuse high across all child restraint system types (73%) Premature graduation to adult belts High percentage still unrestrained Fatalities beginning to ‘creep’ up The “tween” problem

3. Usage Rates Infants 0-1  2004 rate 98%  2002 rate 99% Toddlers 1-3  2004 rate 93%  2002 rate 94% Children 4-7  2004 rate 73%  2002 rate 83%

4. Child Seat Misuse Overall child seat misuse 73% Occurs when:  Child passengers are improperly placed in child restraint systems  Child passengers are moved into adult belts prematurely  Child restraint is improperly installed

5. Premature Graduation All children who have outgrown child safety seats should be properly restrained in booster seats until they are at least 8 years old, unless they are 4’9” tall Booster seats reduce injury risk by 59% compared to riding in adult safety belt (CHOP) 4 out of 5 children who should ride in boosters, do not.

6. Unrestrained Kids Severest form of misuse is non-use During 2003, approximately 8,000 passenger vehicle occupants under 15 were involved in fatal crashes.

7. The “Tween” Issue Usually described as children between 8-15. This age group greatly influenced by adult belt use In 2003, almost twice as many unrestrained 8-15 year olds died in motor vehicle crashes as did 0-7 year old.

8. Today’s Solutions Nationwide infrastructure of trained CPS technicians National Standardized Curriculum Materials: Transportation Safety Tips for Children; Ease of Use Rating System; English-Spanish Translation of Terms, Are You Using It Right?

9. Solutions… Partnerships with the Governor’s Highway Safety Association, National Child Passenger Safety Board, Safe Kids Worldwide, etc. Occupant Protection for Children Assessments New Model Law 2011 Grant Program