Children In Cars Research Articles

Analysis of the usage and awareness of child safety seats for children aged 0-6 in Leshan City, Sichuan Province, China.

To investigate the current situation of child safety seat use and children's cognition of safe riding in Leshan City, and to provide a basis for the promotion and application of child safety seats in Leshan City. From November 2021 to February 2022, a total of 500 car-owning families who visited or were hospitalized in the department of pediatrics of our hospital were surveyed by self-filling questionnaire method. Through the investigation of personal situation, family situation, travel habits, use of child safety seat, cognition of safe riding, etc., the influencing factors of possession and use of child safety seat and cognition were analyzed. The ownership rate of car seats was 57.8%, the use rate was 47.6%, and the always use rate was 18.8% among all families with children surveyed. There were no statistically significant differences in the use rate and always use rate of child safety seats among different genders of children, parents' education background, and car ownership price. The use rate and constant use rate of child safety seats in urban households were significantly higher than those in rural areas. When the main driver was the mother, the use rate of child safety seats was higher, and the difference was statistically significant. From the perspective of cognition, the use rate and constant use rate of the child safety seat of parents with correct cognition were 64.5% and 25.7% respectively, while the use rate and constant use rate of the child safety seat of parents with incorrect cognition were only 11.1% and 4.3%, which were significantly lower than those with correct cognition, and the difference was statistically significant. In terms of cognition, 10.4% of parents think it is safe for children to sit in the back seat with adults in their arms, and 9.0% of family members think it is safe for children to sit in the back seat with seat belts alone. At present, the ownership rate, utilization rate, and parents' correct cognition of child safety seats in Leshan City are all at a low level, and there is a lack of regional legal guidance, so the safety situation of children in cars is worrying. To effectively improve the use of child safety seats, the promotion of child safety seats should be promoted from three aspects: improving parents' cognition, forming good traffic habits, and legal guidance.

Temperature Call Alert to Prevent Child Death from Heatstroke in Smart Car using IoT

According to a study conducted by the National Health Service (NHS), 937 children died of heatstroke in the United States between 1998 and January 2023. Shockingly, out of these 937 deaths, 493 occurred due to parents forgetting to take their children out of cars. To prevent such tragic incidents from occurring, this paper proposes a simple system, "Temperature Call Alert”. The system operates by utilizing multiple sensors to collect and analyze data regarding the temperature inside a car. This data is then sent to a cloud platform for storage and processing. If the system detects a higher- than-normal temperature inside the car, it automatically sends an alert call to the parent's mobile number with a message. This alert call can help the parent to take necessary actions to prevent their child's life from being lost due to heatstroke. To implement the temperature call alert system, we used an IFTTT webhook with an IoT cloud. This allows us to give a call alert to the authorized mobile number whenever the system detects a potentially dangerous situation. With the help of this system, we can reduce the risk of heatstroke deaths caused by parents forgetting their children in cars.

A survey of drive-thru pharmacy services: Evaluating the acceptance and perspectives of community pharmacists in Saudi Arabia

BackgroundThe practice of dispensing drugs in primary healthcare centers has shifted to community pharmacies in Saudi Arabia. These changes increase demand and mandate improving their services; one such is establishing pharmacy drive-thru services. To explore the effects of drive-thru services on the pharmacy profession, this study aimed to measure community pharmacists' acceptance, perception, and satisfaction regarding drive-thru services. MethodsThis cross-sectional study design was conducted in Saudi Arabia between January 2023 and May 2023—comparing the perception, acceptance, and satisfaction of pharmacists who work in a community pharmacy that provides a drive-thru service versus no drive-thru service. Community pharmacists were invited to complete an online questionnaire consisting of four sections developed from previous studies with some modifications. Descriptive statistical analysis and an independent t-test were utilized to test the difference between the two groups (providing drive-thru service vs. non) in their responses. ResultsThis study included 380 community pharmacists, of whom 33 % provided drive-thru services and 67 % did not. Pharmacists' perceptions of drive-thru services differed significantly. Those with drive-thru services perceived lower convenience for delivering drug information and patient counseling, and they were concerned about the potential impact on their health effects (M = 3.15, SD = 1.34) compared to those without (M = 3.58, SD = 1.10), t (378) = -3.32, p < 0.01). However, they recognized the convenience of serving sick patients, the elderly, disabled individuals, and mothers with children in cars (M = 3.71, SD = 1.17), which was higher than those without (M = 4.04, SD = 1.21), t (378) = -2.70, p < 0.01). Regarding the current pharmacy layout suitability, pharmacists with drive-thru services found it more suitable (M = 3.13, SD = 1.14) than those without (M = 2.49, SD = 1.14), t (378) = 5.1, p < 0.01). However, the two groups had no significant difference in overall satisfaction. ConclusionPharmacists working in pharmacies offering drive-thru services recognized certain benefits but also expressed concerns about health effects and decreased convenience for counseling. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and pharmacy management, highlighting the nuanced views of pharmacists in adopting drive-thru services.

Parents’ knowledge and socio-demographic determinants toward child’s restraint system use

BackgroundLack of protection or improper protection, is one of the most important reasons of child passenger’s death and injury in traffic crashes. Based on what we see on the roads, Iranian children are unrestrained inside the car. The aim of this study was to investigate children restrained system (CRS) use rate, its socio-demographic determinants and parents’ knowledge toward CRS use among Iranian parents.MethodsUsing multi-stage cluster sampling and direct in filed method of observation, the behavior of 700 children in cars was observed in the current cross-sectional study. Socio-demographic determinants and parents’ knowledge, toward using the CRS were evaluated using questionnaires. The study was performed from July to August 2019 in Tabriz city, northwestern Iran.ResultsThe rate of child safety seat (CSS) use was 15.1% CI 95%:(12.5%,18.0%), and the rate of booster use was 0.6%; CI 95%:(4.3%,8.0%). The majority of parents [e.g. 64.3%; CI 95%: (60.7%,67.9%)], had low knowledge about the use of CRS. The most important reasons for not using CRS was lack of laws and policies [e.g. 59.7%; CI 95%:(12.5%,18.0%)], lack of knowledge [e.g.59.6%; CI 95%:(57.9%, 63.3%)] and the high cost of CRS [e.g. 57.6%; CI 95%:(53.81%,61.2%)]. The most important predictors of not using CRS were the child's age, parental knowledge, and the socioeconomic status of the household (p < 0.05).ConclusionsMost children did not have CRS. The parents with higher education and those with higher socioeconomic status had higher rate of CRS use. Based on the low rate of CRS use and poor parental knowledge about it, education of parents toward boosters use and benefits of using CRS, enforcing mandatory laws and ploicies for CRS use in Iran, and allocation of government subsidies to low-income families for purchasing CRS are suggeted as essential strategies to increase CRS use.

Some of the Issues of Preventing Offenses Involving Child Passengers

The subject of the study is the administrative and legal norms regulating the basic rules of transportation of children in a car. The object of the study is public relations in the field of prevention of children's road traffic injuries. The purpose of the work was to analyze the current requirements and regulations in the field of transportation of children in a passenger car, identify current problems arising in this area and suggest ways to solve them. Methodological basis of the work: fundamental postulates of the theory of law; generalization of practical experience, application of methods of logical, monographic and system analysis. The author examines in detail such aspects of the topic as preserving the life and health of children-road users, reducing the level of road accidents involving them, as well as minimizing the severity of their consequences. Scope of application of the results: the provisions of the work can be used in the legislative activity of state bodies, law enforcement practice of state bodies directly engaged in the prevention of child traffic injuries, the educational process with any category of children and parents, scientific research of administrative scientists investigating issues of road safety. The novelty of the work is determined by the practical and scientific significance of the problems of law enforcement practice of state bodies involved in the prevention of child traffic injuries, as well as the need to improve the legal framework governing the powers of internal affairs bodies. The author proposes a comprehensive approach to solving this problem, starting with proposals to improve the complex of preventive measures aimed at reducing the number of road accidents involving child passengers and the severity of their consequences and ending with the author's proposal to improve the current administrative legislation in the field of road safety.

Car Safety Seats and Restraints for Children in Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices

Background: Injuries caused by road traffic are a significant public health concern. In the 0-12-year age group, among the leading causes of death, unintentional injuries are considered the second and main cause of morbidity due to the safety of children in cars. According to statistics, approximately 4.7% of deaths in Saudi Arabia are caused by road traffic, while fatalities from road traffic do not exceed 1.7% in Australia, the United Kingdom, or the United States. Road traffic injuries killed more people in Saudi Arabia than in any other country with a high income. Aim: In this study, parents' knowledge, attitudes, and practices were evaluated regarding child safety regarding child car seats in Al Ahsa community. Methods: A cross?sectional descriptive study was done from November 10 to December 31, 2022. The data were collected using a 19-question survey. A convenience sampling of 379 samples was conducted. Results: In one-quarter of the participants, (24.8%) had the wrong answer when we asked them whether it is safer to hold a newborn baby in their arms than placing them in baby car safety seats, while (5.8%) did not know what is safe. Regarding the knowledge about the right way to put the car safety seat for children aged 2-4 years, near to one quarter (23%) answered wrong answer, while (11.1%) did not know how to fix it in the car. In relation to fixing the car safety seat for children aged below 2 years, only half the participants (54.6%) knew the right way. The mean score of knowledge was 3.37/5 with Std dev. ±1.52.in relation to practices and attitudes, (11.9%) said that the child is afraid to sit in the back seats, while (68.3%) said they do. (92.9%) of respondents believe that child safety seats are important. (14%) reported not using the seatbelt for children while (18.7%) reported using it sometimes. (67.3%) of those surveyed reported using seatbelts for all their children under the age of eight. There were (66.6%) of participants with acceptable knowledge and attitude scores, while (31.4%) had low scores. Parents' education level and their knowledge level were found to be significantly correlated. Parents' knowledge about care safety increased with the number of children, but there was no significant correlation between knowledge level and gender or number of children. Conclusion: According to the study, car safety seat noncompliance includes multiple variables that can be modified. The study could raise awareness by focusing on a major public health issue and providing outreach on child safety in cars. Residents of Al Ahsa generally had a positive attitude and good knowledge of car safety seats.

Key factors associated with child occupants’ suboptimal head positions when travelling in child restraint systems: Results from a naturalistic driving study of children in cars

ObjectiveThe current study aimed to quantify the real-world, everyday travel behaviours of child vehicle occupants and associations with child restraint systems (CRS)/booster seat (BS) head positions that are suboptimal in terms of crash injury risk. MethodsThe data from a naturalistic driving study (NDS) provided 414 trips for analysis. Child occupant behaviour, head position within their forward-facing CRS (FFCRS) or BS and other relevant information was coded for nine discrete 5 s intervals or ‘epochs’ (5%, 17%, 25%, 30%, 50%, 53%, 75%, 89% & 95% of trip duration). A total of 2158 epochs were analysed. The relative contributions of factors of interest to suboptimal head position were explored through a generalised estimating equation (GEE), which accommodated correlation between measurement in each epoch for an individual child. ResultsThe GEE revealed that, when compared to child occupants travelling in a FFCRS, child occupants travelling in a BS were twice as likely to have a suboptimal head position. Child occupants were also nearly one and a half times more likely to have a suboptimal head position if they were in the older age range for the restraint type that they were using (FFCRS or BS), if they had incorrect shoulder belt/harness use, or if they were interacting with other vehicle occupants. In addition, when compared to engagement in conversation, children's engagement in a lap-based activity (including use of electronic devices, toys and reading) increased the odds of suboptimal head position by nearly two and half times,. ConclusionsThis study identified key factors associated with child occupants’ head positions when travelling in a CRS. These findings suggest that various head positions are adopted during everyday travel. Future restraint and vehicle designs that improve the ability of child occupant protection systems (CRS and vehicle-based devices) to safely accommodate a wide range of suboptimal head positions that were commonly observed during everyday travel are encouraged.

Analysis of the factors influencing parents’ support for child safety seat legislation in Nanjing

Objective Although the use of child safety seats can effectively ensure the safety of children in cars, the utilization rate of such seats in China is still low (<5%, 2021). Therefore, it is urgent to promote the use of child safety seats. The goal of this study was to examine the factors affecting parents' support for child safety seat legislation. Methods Data were collected via 1200 questionnaires distributed in several community hospitals in Nanjing. We used the data to do a multivariate logistic regression analysis to find the influencing factors of parental support for child safety seat legislation. Results On the whole, the respondents had low support for legislation mandating the installation of child safety seats. Although only 5.83% of the respondents expressed opposition to the relevant legislation, more than 40% expressed a neutral attitude rather than a supportive attitude. Multinomial logistic regression analyses revealed that gender, monthly household income, educational level, number of children in the family, comprehension of child safety seat-related publicity information, and cognition of children’s riding safety significantly affected parents' support for child safety seat legislation. In addition to gender and cognition of children's riding safety, other influential factors had significant positive impacts on legislative support for compulsory installation of child safety seats. Conclusion These results have implications for making more effective recommendations to advance child safety seat legislation and keep child passengers safe.

Anti-asphyxiation System for Children in Vehicle Based on Multi-sensor Fusion

With the rapid development of automobile industry, cars have been widely used in thousands of households. But the car brings convenience to people’s life, at the same time, the safety hidden trouble it brings is also more prominent and serious. In recent years, more and more accidents caused by asphyxiation of children in cars have prompted the scientific community to pay attention to and study this phenomenon. Therefore, we design a vehicle anti-asphyxiation system based on multi-sensor fusion.

Child safety in cars: An observational study on the use of child restraint systems in The Netherlands

Objective To minimize children’s injuries due to car accidents, children must be transported in approved child restraint systems (CRS). The European Union optimized child protection by implementing R129 legislation for CRS in 2013. However, compliance with CRS recommendations after introduction of this newer standard has been scarcely evaluated. The main objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of various types of CRS misuse and to investigate the use of ISOFIX and i-Size seats and parental knowledge regarding safe transportation of children in cars 5 years after the introduction of the newer R129 standard. Methods During a cross-sectional observational study in the summer of 2018, parking lots of sites in the Netherlands were visited by researchers. Arriving or departing Dutch drivers who transported children under 9 years old were interviewed by means of a questionnaire and the misuse of CRS was directly observed using a checklist. Misuse was defined as CRS inappropriate for the child (based on height and weight) and/or CRS wrongly installed in the car and/or child improperly restrained in CRS. Results In total, 392 drivers and 470 children were included in the study. Results showed that 83% of the children were transported with at least 1 misuse of their CRS: 7% of the CRS were inappropriate for the child, 49% of the CRS were wrongly installed in the car, and 59% of the children were improperly restrained in a CRS. Most CRS were installed using the seat belt (88%) compared to ISOFIX (12%). ISOFIX usage did not result in less CRS installation misuse (P = .338). The number of observed i-Size CRS was low (n = 13, 3%). Most drivers were familiar with ISOFIX (76%), but only 13% of the drivers had heard of i-Size. Conclusions For 9 out of 10 children, CRS misuse was observed. Many children were transported in an appropriate CRS, but various mistakes were made when installing the CRS in the car and restraining children in the CRS. Moreover, ISOFIX usage did not result in statistically significant less CRS installation misuse compared to traditional seat belt usage, and i-Size CRS are still rather unknown 5 years after their introduction.

An App-Based Intervention for Caregivers to Prevent Unintentional Injury Among Preschoolers: Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundApp-based interventions have the potential to reduce child injury in countries with limited prevention resources, but their effectiveness has not been rigorously examined.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an app-based intervention for caregivers of preschoolers to prevent unintentional injury among Chinese preschoolers.MethodsA 6-month cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted from December 2017 to June 2018. Recruitment was conducted through preschools, which were randomly allocated to either the control group (ie, app-based parenting education excluding unintentional injury prevention) or the intervention group (ie, app-based parenting education including unintentional injury prevention). A total of 2920 caregivers of preschoolers aged 3-6 years from 20 preschools in Changsha, China, were recruited offline through the schools. The primary outcome was unintentional injury incidences among preschoolers in the past 3 months; this measure was assessed through an online caregiver-report at the baseline visit and at 3-month and 6-month follow-up visits. Secondary outcome measures included caregivers’ self-reported attitudes and behaviors concerning child supervision during the last week. Generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used to assess the effectiveness of the app-based intervention on responses at 3 and 6 months after adjusting for sociodemographic variables, baseline level of the outcome variable, and engagement with interventions in the assigned group. All analyses were intention-to-treat. A per-protocol sensitivity analysis was also conducted.ResultsIn total, 1980 of the 2920 caregivers completed the study. The mean age of participants was 32.0 years (SD 5.5) and 68.99% (1366/1980) of them were female. During the 6-month follow-up visit, unintentional injury incidence did not change significantly in either group: incidence in the intervention group went from 8.76% (94/1073) to 8.11% (87/1073), P=.59; incidence in the control group went from 9.4% (85/907) to 7.5% (69/907), P=.15. The changes did not differ between the groups (odds ratio [OR] 1.14, 95% CI 0.80-1.62). Changes in the average score in attitude concerning unintentional injury prevention were also similar between the groups (B .05, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.13). Changes in unintentional injury prevention behaviors were greater in the intervention group than in the control group after the intervention (B .87, 95% CI 0.33-1.42). Analyses of individual injury prevention behaviors showed that the intervention reduced three risky behaviors: unsafe feeding of children (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.60-0.89); incorrectly placing children in cars (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.57-0.93); and allowing children to ride bicycles, electric bicycles, or motorcycles unsupervised (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.64-0.99). The intervention also improved scores on three safety-focused behaviors: testing water temperature before giving children a bath (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.05-1.52); properly storing sharp objects (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.01-1.52); and safely storing medicines, detergents, and pesticides (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.02-1.51).ConclusionsThe app-based intervention did not reduce unintentional injury incidence among preschoolers but significantly improved caregivers’ safety behaviors. This app-based intervention approach to improve caregiver behaviors surrounding child injury risk offers promise to be modified and ultimately disseminated broadly.Trial RegistrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR-IOR-17010438; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=17376 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/75jt17X84)International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR2-10.1186/s12889-018-5790-1

Parental awareness and perception for correct use of child restraint systems and airbags in Brazil

ABSTRACTObjective: The objective of this study was to obtain information about the current knowledge and habits of parents who transport children in cars in Brazil.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using specifically designed self-report questionnaires to parents of children attending a private pediatric office in a town in southwest Brazil. Data were collected regarding children's age, gender, height, and weight and possession of an automobile child restraint system (CRS), its type, frequency and adequacy of use, and reasons for not possessing or not using the devices. Parents were asked whether their cars were equipped with airbags and about the use of the restraints in seats with airbags.Results: We interviewed parents of 293 children transported in cars who met the criteria for use of a CRS. Children were younger than 1 year in 15.3% of the cases, between 1 and 4 years in 38.6%, and older than 4 in 46.1%. Cars were equipped with CRS in 78.5% of the cases, but in only 58% of the cases was the device proper for child's age and adequately installed in the seat. Among owners of the devices, 84.3% reported that they always used it. Reasons for infrequency were forgetting the device at home or in another car (6.4%), the child disliking the device (3.2%), or the false impression that the child was grown enough not to use it (3.2%)l 87.1% did not justify why they did not always use the CRS. Considering type of CRS, correct installation of the seat, and frequency of use, only 44.4% of children under 1 year, 69.9% of those 1 to 4 years, and 52.6% over age 4 were protected. Only 28.6% of the parents knew that children should never be positioned in a seat with active airbags.Conclusion: Considering appropriateness for age, correctness of installation (in the back seat in the correct orientation), and frequency of use, only 50.85% (149/293) of the children were reported as always protected with a CRS. Children between 1 and 4 years were more likely to always use a CRS in this Brazilian survey. We were also able to identify an important gap in the knowledge about airbags among parents. Further efforts are needed to correct those distortions.

Prevalence of awareness of car seat use amongst parents in State of Qatar - A cross-sectional study

Introduction: MVC accident is one of the major cause of mortality and morbidity in children. In 2010, road traffic accidents were the major cause of 228 deaths and 568 major injuries in Qatar.(4). Children in cars who are not restrained, have a great risk of being injured. Our aim from this study is to check parents' awareness of the important of using child restrain (car seat) and reasons behind preventing them from not using it. Objectives: Check parents' awareness of using car seat in Qatar. And do they know related information about installing car seat in their car and how to use it? Methods: A prospective cross sectional qualitative survey study was conducted at PEC Alsadd of Hamad Medical Corporation from (May 1st 2015 to October 31st 2015). A total number of 212 sample questionnaires were filled by parents whom visited PEC because of their children illness. All have been given survey questionnaire to fill while they are in waiting area. Then research assistants collect filled questionnaires. Results: Distribution of Male: female is 40.6% (86) and 59.4% (126) 70.8% (150) have car seat and 29.2% (62) have no car seat. The Qatari: non-Qatari population is 10% (21): 90% (121) in the study. Among the Qatari respondent, 85.7% (18) have car seat and 14.3% (3) have no car seats. 12% of cases were children with chronic illness. 84% parents have 4wd cars. 80% of parents have university certification, though only 65% of them who have car seat. And 31% of them who use always car seats. Conclusion: This study showed the importance of doing more parents education about the importance of using car seats.

Sensor based Hyperthermia Alert Car Application

Leaving children unattended in car for few moments, especially in hot atmosphere can cause a catastrophic tragedy to occur. Even young children can die of hyperthermia after being left in hot cars for a period of time. This paper presents HACC (Hyperthermia Alert for Children in Cars) system to help in preventing tragic child death caused by hyperthermia using detection and control system inside car. HACC system has been accomplished by developing a phone application and a surveillance system connected together to monitor temperature and presence of a child inside car. The system starts to measure temperature inside car via temperature sensor. At the same time, it checks constantly the presence of child inside car via motion sensor. When system detects the presence of a child and temperature inside car reaches unsafe limit, it alerts caregiver via smartphone application and allows him/her at the same time to take an action and open windows remotely. If there is no response from caregiver, system itself reacts and windows are opened automatically.

Car child safety seats use among Iranian children in Mashad

Despite the strong evidence of child safety seats (CSSs) effectiveness in reducing injuries, it is still rarely used in some societies. The purpose of this study was to determine prevalence and predictors of CSS use in Mashad, Iran. Five hundred ninety kindergarten children whose parents owned a car were enrolled in the study. Parents were asked about using CSS for their children, reasons for CSS use/non-use, demographics, history of road traffic injuries and receiving any advice on CSS. Of families, 25.5% expressed that they used CSS for their child at present or any time in the past, but only 6.3% of children travelled restrained in CSS at the time of study. Age-appropriate CSS use was reported in 14.5% of infants and 2.3% of 1–5-year-old children. A significant relationship was observed between lower child age, higher maternal education and high family income with CSS use. The main reasons for CSS none-use were reported as not feeling the need (42%), followed by its high price (22%). Use of CSS was uncommon. The financial concerns and information gap about the essential need for CSS should be considered as priorities for action especially among lower socio-economic groups of society.

Implementation of One Kind of Side Impact Method for Child Restraint System Based on Sled Test

Although accident analysis shows that side impact accidents continue to be dangerous for children in cars, the majority technical regulations of Child Restraint Systems (CRS) are focused on the crash performance under the frontal and rear impacts and do not include a side impact test, the main reason is that no good method to test side impact performance of CRS has been agreed on yet in the world. In this paper one side impact test method based on double sled concept is presented and realized. And several CRS models are tested; injury response values are measured from child dummy. It is observed that the sled buck concept is repeatable and able to distinguish preliminarily between CRS models.

Low rates of child restraint system use in cars may be due to fatalistic beliefs and other factors

Restraining children in cars has proven to save lives during car crashes. However, not all drivers of cars with children in them comply with the law regarding child restraint system (CRS) use. The aim of this study was to measure the rate of child and adult CRS use and to identify associations between fatalistic beliefs and CRS use among Arab children. A random sample of 380 Arab drivers transporting children 8 years and younger in Israel were interviewed after observing 835 children traveling in 400 vehicles. Proper restraint ranged from 41% among children aged one to three to 9% among booster seat-eligible children. In a logistic regression model driver seat belt use, fatalistic beliefs, knowledge regarding the law on CRS, number of children in the car, age and gender were associated with all the children being restrained in the car. Drivers with higher levels of fatalistic beliefs had a lower odds ratio of restraining their children in the car, after adjusting for the other confounding variables (OR = 0.80, CI = 0.65, 0.97). High levels of fatalism and low levels of knowledge in addition to other factors may inhibit Israeli Arab parents from restraining their children in cars. Therefore, children in these communities are at risk of injury or death in motor vehicle crashes and there is a need for tailored interventions specific for this population.

Research about mother's perception and behaviour about accidents with children in Brazil

BackgroundIn 2010, Safe Kids had developed a qualitative study that showed the evident lack of knowledge among mothers related to the high incidence of accidents. In 2011, it was decided...

In-Use Fuel Economy of Hybrid-Electric School Buses in Iowa

ABSTRACT Although it is much safer and more fuel-efficient to transport children to school in buses than in private vehicles, school buses in the United States still consume 822 million gal of diesel fuel annually, and school transportation costs can account for a significant portion of resource-constrained school district budgets. Additionally, children in diesel-powered school buses may be exposed to higher levels of particulates and other pollutants than children in cars. One solution to emission and fuel concerns is use of hybrid-electric school buses, which have the potential to reduce emissions and overall lifecycle costs compared with conventional diesel buses. Hybrid-electric technologies are available in the passenger vehicle market as well as the transit bus market and have a track record indicating fuel economy and emissions benefits. This paper summarizes the results of an in-use fuel economy evaluation for two plug-in hybrid school buses deployed in two different school districts in Iowa. Each school district selected a control bus with a route similar to that of the hybrid bus. Odometer readings, fuel consumption, and maintenance needs were recorded for each bus. The buses were deployed in 2008 and data were collected through May 2010. Fuel consumption was calculated for each school district. In Nevada, IA, the overall average fuel economy was 8.23 mpg for the hybrid and 6.35 mpg for the control bus. In Sigourney, IA, the overall average fuel economy was 8.94 mpg for the hybrid and 6.42 mpg for the control bus. The fuel consumption data were compared for the hybrid and control buses using a Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results indicate that fuel economy for the Nevada hybrid bus was 29.6% better than for the Nevada control bus, and fuel economy for the Sigourney hybrid bus was 39.2% higher than for the Sigourney control bus. Both differences were statistically significant. IMPLICATIONS The results of the research presented in this paper can be readily used by school districts and policy-makers who are interested in purchasing hybrid school buses. Very little information about actual on-road fuel consumption or costs is available. Because the cost of a hybrid bus can be significantly more than the cost of a conventional bus, the information provided in this paper can be very useful for an agency to determine the costs and benefits of a hybrid bus. The information is also useful to researchers who are studying hybrid school and transit buses.

Incidence of children left unattended in hot cars in Victoria, Australia

IntroductionKidsafe Victoria, as part of the Child Accident Prevention Foundation, is the leading non-government, charitable, organisation dedicated to preventing unintentional child injuries and deaths and resulting disabilities. This is achieved...