Don׳t learn safety by accident: A survey of child safety restraint usage among drivers in Dansoman, Accra

Abstract

ObjectiveThe study surveyed child safety restraints use among drivers transporting children to school in Dansoman, Accra. MethodEmploying a naturalistic observational method, the following were observed: sex of the driver, vehicle model, child characteristics, child location in the vehicle, whether child was restrained and how they were restrained, whether the driver was belted and the presence of other vehicle occupants. In total 126 vehicles were observed. ResultsThe study revealed low child restraints use among the observed drivers; children in new vehicles were more likely to be restrained; children seated in the back seat were more likely to be unrestrained; and child occupants were more likely to be unrestrained where there were other vehicle occupants. ConclusionThe study maintained that a collaborated effort by road safety stakeholders in terms of education/awareness creation and subsequent strict enforcement of child restraints use laws were required.