Factors influencing the use of booster seats: a statewide survey of parents

Abstract

This study gathered telephone interview data on attitudes, knowledge and motivations regarding booster seat use from a representative stratified random sample of parents with children between the ages of 4 and 8 years living in the State of Michigan. Interviews were completed between December 1 and December 15, 2004, with parents of children in 350 households. Due to demographic differences between this sample and the National Household Travel Survey (NHTS), weights were calculated using NHTS data, and both unweighted and weighted analyses were conducted. No differences were found between the conclusions drawn from the weighted and unweighted analyses; therefore, unweighted results were reported. Analyses examined the sample, overall, part-time booster seat users, and booster seat non-users. Numerous differences were identified based on parental sex, and booster seat use. Results indicated that the lack of legislation mandating booster seat use was a key variable determining level of use and the motivation to use booster seats. Nearly 70% of part-time users said that they used booster seats because they believed it was the law. Similarly, 60% of part-time and non-booster seat users said that they would be more likely to use booster seats if use were mandated by law, with non-users being more than three times as likely as part-time users to agree that a law would increase their booster seat use. Finally, over 90% of part-time and non-booster seat users said it would be easier for them to use booster seats if a law required it, and non-users were almost three times more likely than part-time users to agree that a law would make use easier. The need for booster seat laws, issues of social equity, and implications for intervention were discussed.