Use of top tethers with forward-facing child restraints: Observations and driver interviews

• Published in: Journal of safety research 2014-02, Vol.48, p.71-76
• Main Authors: Eichelberger, Angela H., Decina, Lawrence E., Jermakian, Jessica S., McCartt, Anne T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Automobile Driving - psychology; Biological and medical sciences; Caregivers; Child; Child restraints; Child, Preschool; District of Columbia; General aspects; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Infant; Infant Equipment; Interviews; LATCH; Medical sciences; Observations; Parents & parenting; Parents - psychology; Philadelphia; Prevention and actions; Protective Devices; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Qualitative Research; Seat Belts - utilization; Suburban areas; Suburban Population; Tether use; Traffic accidents & safety; Virginia; Washington
• ISSN: 0022-4375; 1879-1247
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2013.11.002

Despite the safety benefits, many parents do not use top tethers with forward-facing child restraints. Detailed information was collected about why parents are not using tethers. The sample included 479 drivers who had forward-facing child restraints installed in passenger vehicles equipped with tether anchors. The survey was conducted primarily at shopping centers, recreation facilities, child care facilities, car seat check events, and health care facilities in mostly suburban areas surrounding Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Fredericksburg (VA), and Seattle. Drivers were surveyed about their knowledge and use of tethers and experience with child restraints. Tether use was observed to verify whether tethers were being used correctly. Fifty-six percent of forward-facing child restraints were installed with the tether; 39% were installed with the tether used correctly. The tether was used with 71% of LATCH lower anchor installations and 33% of seat belt installations. Drivers who installed child restraints without tethers most often said they did not know about the tether or how to use it. Although the tether use rate was slightly higher in the current research than in previous studies, many parents and caregivers still use forward-facing child restraints without attaching the tether. Because the main problem is lack of awareness of the tether or how to use it, public education should focus specifically on the safety benefits of tethers and how to use them. Information about why caregivers fail to use top tethers is potentially useful to child restraint manufacturers, child passenger safety technicians, and others who work with parents to improve motor vehicle safety. •Although the rate of tether use in the current study was slightly higher than in previous studies, many parents and caregivers continue to use forward-facing child restraints without attaching the tether.•Tether use is particularly low with seat belt installations compared with LATCH lower anchor installations. This finding suggests that many drivers do not understand that the tether should be used with either type of installation.•Parents not using tethers most often said they did not know about tethers or did not know how to use them.