Authored By: Candace Whitman
According to Reuters Health, a recent analysis of U.S. crash data shows that parents who do not use seat belts are more likely to forgo seat belts and car seats for their children.
Lead study author, Douglas Roehler of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago says that it is the driver’s responsibility to make sure that young passengers are restrained properly whenever they are riding in the car.
According to Reuters Health, “At the national level, the researchers calculate, about 25 in every 1,000 kids aged 8 and younger were killed as unrestrained passengers in motor vehicle crashes, as were 42 in every 1,000 youth 9 to 15 years old and 38 in every 1,000 teens aged 16 to 19.”
Parents should also ensure that their children are in the correct car seat for their age, height, and weight, and that older children and teens, who no longer need to use a car seat, are always using both the lap and shoulder belt.
The author of the study concluded that stricter seat belt laws for drivers could increase the possibility that young passengers will be properly restrained as well.
Adults should lead by example and wear their seat belt and make sure that all young passengers are properly restrained to help protect them in the present and to help them develop safe habits that they will carry into their adulthood.
To read more about this study, click here to read the article by Reuters Health.