Evaluating the Effectiveness of Child Safety Seats and Seat Belts in Protecting Children from Injury

Steven Levitt () and Joseph J. Doyle

No 12519, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: Young children are required to use child safety seats, and the age threshold at which children can legally graduate to seat belts has steadily increased. This paper tests the relative effectiveness of child safety seats, lap-and-shoulder seat belts, and lap belts in preventing injuries among motor vehicle passengers aged 2-6. We analyze three large, representative samples of crashes reported to police, as well as linked hospital data. We find no apparent difference in the two most serious injury categories for children in child safety seats versus lap-and-shoulder belts. Child safety seats provide a statistically significant 25% reduction in the least serious injury category. Lap belts are somewhat less effective than the two other types of restraints, but far superior to riding unrestrained.

JEL-codes: K2 R4 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hea and nep-law
Date: 2006-09
Note: CH LE PE HE
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