National Child Restraint Use Special Study (NCRUSS) II

Since the 2011 NCRUSS, updated and new literature, research, and standards related to child restraint systems and use of child restraint systems have occurred. NHTSA plans to reconduct the NCRUSS to examine the current state of use of car seats and booster seats for child passengers from birth through 12 years old, and the perceptions of drivers about child restraint systems. The methods originally used in the 2011 NCRUSS (see Barron et al., 2016[5]; Greenwell, 20151), including large-scale survey, interview, and observations, will be evaluated for appropriateness and relevancy, and will be refreshed accordingly. A panel of subject matter experts on child restraint systems will be National Child Restraint Use Special Study (NCRUSS) II convened to determine use and misuse of child restraint systems and necessary updates to the NCRUSS methodology and analyses. The panel will also develop categories of misuse (e.g., minor to major issues). The sample size will be expanded to allow for testing of research questions related to subpopulations. Drivers will be interviewed about their knowledge and perceptions of child restraint systems. Interviews will include demographic information on occupants, the driver’s knowledge about the specific child restraint system in their vehicle, and the driver’s general knowledge and experience with restraint systems. Interviews will also include questions about potential barriers caregivers and drivers have experienced related to child restraint systems. Observational data on correct and incorrect use of child restraint systems in passenger vehicles will be collected. CPSTs will observe the child restraint systems available and in use in vehicles. Information collected will include the type of restraint that is used, the type of installation, how the child restraint system is installed, and seat belt fit, as necessary.
NHTSA requires contractor support to conduct a large-scale survey that observes and measures the level of child restraint use and misuse in passenger vehicles. The study will also identify current gaps in data related to child restraint use and misuse and collect new data needed to evaluate and update child restraint system use and misuse information. This effort will also require database support (e.g., development and updates to the application used for entry and for quality control of survey data, documentation and training for this application, preparation of the data file and datasets), data analysis, and report preparation of the data collected in the NCRUSS.
Objective(s): The primary objective of this task order is to measure the level of child restraint system use and misuse for children riding in passenger vehicles. The project will answer the following questions: 1.What is the overall level of child restraint system use and misuse? 2.What are the rates of use and misuse for the different child restraint system types? 3.What are the observed rates of use and misuse of the specific sub-components, such as LATCH? 4. What are the specific types and frequencies of misuse, and how can these misuses be categorized? 5.Is the appropriate child safety seat for a child’s age, weight, and height being used? 6.Is use and misuse of child restraint systems associated with any specific characteristics of the drivers, their passengers, and/or their vehicles? 7. What is the association between driver attitudes, knowledge, and awareness of child passenger safety and use and misuse of child restraint systems? 8.Where do drivers obtain information about child restraint system installation (e.g., vehicle manufacturers, safety seat manufacturers, doctor’s offices) and is the source of information related to child restraint system use or misuse? 9. What are the key opportunities for countermeasure development and deployment? 10.What are the differences between the NCRUSS conducted in 2011 and the current NCRUSS?