Booster seat or seat belt? Motor vehicle injuries and child restraint laws in preschool and early school-age children.

ISSUES AND PURPOSE

Despite numerous interventions to reduce motor vehicle injuries and deaths in children living in the United States, unintentional motor vehicle injuries continue to be the leading cause of death of U.S. children.

CONCLUSION

Even though child restraint laws have been enacted, many children 5 to 9 years of age continue to be injured in motor vehicle crashes. These injuries are related to the improper use of child restraints. Reasons for injuries in this age group were explored by a review of the current literature.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Nurses have a unique role in educating families about proper restraint and in contributing to the evidence base for practice.