The Prevalence of Child Restraint System Use among Children in Vehicles Equipped with Front Passenger Airbag in Kajang, Malaysia

Abstract

New cars are being introduced with front passenger airbags (PAB) as a standard safety feature. Airbags are designed to reduce vehicle occupant injury in the event of a collision. In order for airbags to be effective, occupants must be restrained while travelling in vehicles. Children are often seen unrestrained while travelling in vehicles throughout Malaysia. Studies have shown that unrestrained children are exposed to higher risk of injury in a crash involving PAB deployment, compared to those who are restrained. The intended life saving benefit of PAB may be negated if child occupants remain mostly unrestrained. The objective of the study is to determine the prevalence of child restraint system (CRS) use in vehicles, especially those equipped with PAB. To realise this, an observational survey was conducted at selected day care centres in Kajang, to determine the use of child restraints among children aged six and below, child seating position, driver seatbelt use and availability of PAB. The study was performed in the first half of 2012. A total of 537 children aged 6 and below were observed. 51.4% of the children were seated in the front passenger seat, 45.3% were seated in the rear and 3.3% were seated on the driver’s lap. 13.3% of children seated in front seats were restrained, compared to 4.9% of those seated at the rear. Children were 4 times more likely to be restrained if the drivers were belted compared to those who were not. In vehicles equipped with PAB, 11.2% of children seated on the front seats are restrained, while in vehicles without, 17.1% were restrained. The restraint use among children is low and the presence of PAB does not have a significant effect on the use of CRS. There was a significant association between belted drivers and restrained children. The low CRS use is expected as the current legislation does not specifically mention the requirement for children to use CRS while travelling in vehicle, even if the vehicle is equipped with PAB.