Booster seat use observation survey

On July 1, 2008, the State of Michigan enacted a law as a part of Michigan Senate Bill 82, which requires all children less than 8 years of age and less than 4 feet 9 inches in height to be restrained in a booster seat while traveling in a motor vehicle. The objective of this study, funded by OHSP is to determine the statewide rate of booster seat use among 4-to-7 year old child passengers through field observational surveys conducted six months and twelve months after enactment of the legislation. These direct observation surveys will provide valuable information regarding the changes in booster seat use following the enactment of this law while identifying characteristics of at-risk groups based upon factors that include vehicle type and driver age, race, and gender.