Fatal statistics also show that six out of 10 children involved in fatal crashes are totally unrestrained. Restraint use is actually decreasing as children get older, and children are being moved into adult seat belts too soon. Because of their size, children do not fit properly into adult seat belts until they are between 60 and 80 pounds and approximately 8 years old. Another challenge facing the panel is gaps in child restraint laws which often leave the children in the ages 4 to 16 unprotected. In most states a 10 year old can ride legally in the back seat unrestrained because laws only apply to front seat occupants.
Many states fail to address the issue of children as passengers in the cargo area of pickup trucks.
But, by examining education strategies, legislation and law enforcement issues, as well as product design issues related to booster seats and after-market products, we will develop meaningful recommendations to increase the safety of America's children when they are passengers in motor vehicles. Initial recommendations from the group are expected in March 1999.