NTL Record

Title Child Restraint Use Survey: LATCH Use and Misuse
Record ID 26636
Personal Name
Creator
Decina, L. E. (Larry E.); Lococo, K. (Kathy); Doyle, Charlene T.
Source 117 p. in various pagings : ill. (some col.)
Corporate Creator TransAnalytics, LLC; National Center for Statistics and Analysis (U.S.). Evaluation Division
Corporate
Contributor
United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Publisher United States. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; National Center for Statistics and Analysis (U.S.)
Publication Date 20061200
Language English
Abstract NHTSA conducted a survey from April to October 2005 to collect information about the types of restraint systems that were being used to keep children safe while riding in passenger vehicles. In particular, NHTSA was interested in whether drivers with Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH)- equipped vehicles were using LATCH to secure their child safety seats to the vehicle, and if so, were these seats properly installed. The make/model and the type of restraint installed in each seating position were recorded for each of the vehicles; demographic characteristics and the type of restraint system were collected for each occupant. In addition, information was gathered about the drivers’ knowledge of booster seats and LATCH, along with their opinions on how easy it was to use LATCH. A key finding of the survey was that 55 percent of child safety seats, located in a seating position equipped with an upper anchor, were attached to the vehicle using an upper tether. Other findings include: (1) In 13 percent of the observations, the child safety seat was placed in a seat position in the vehicle not equipped with lower anchors - the seat belt was used to secure the child safety seat to the vehicle. (2) Among the 87 percent who do place the child safety seat at a position equipped with lower anchors, 60 percent use the lower attachments to secure the child safety seat to the vehicle. (3) 81 percent of upper tether users and 74 percent of lower attachments users said upper tether and/or lower attachments were easy to use. (4) 75 percent preferred lower attachments over seat belts of those with experience using both lower attachments and seat belts. (5) 61 percent of upper tether nonusers and 55 percent of lower attachments nonusers cited their lack of knowledge – not knowing what they were, that they were available in the vehicle, the importance of using them, or how to properly use them - as the reason for not using them. /Abstract from report summary page/
Rosap ID dot:1761
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/1761
TRT Terms Child restraint systems; Surveys
General Subjects Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
Classification NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Vehicle Design;
NTL - PLANNING AND POLICY - Surveys
Geographical
Coverage
United States
TRIS Online
Accession No
01050446
Contract Number DTNH22-03-C-06010
Report Number DOT-HS-810-679; NTIS-PB2007107476
Availability NHTSA - Behavioral Safety Research
Resource type Research Paper
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/26000/26600/26636/LATCH_Report_12-2006.pdf
Alternative URL http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810679.PDF
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository