THE EXPOSURE OF CHILDREN TO AIRBAGS

The objective of the study presented in this scientific poster was to determine the number of children exposed to deploying passenger air bags (PAB). Partners for Child Passenger Safety (PCPS) data from 12/1/1998-11/30/1999 were used to provide a population-based estimate of the number of children involved in crashes while riding in the front seat of PAB-equipped vehicles. During the time period of study, completed survey data were obtained on 8551 children, weighted to represent 48,760 children in 31,506 crashes that met inclusion criteria. In the weighted population, 56% (n=27,456) of children were in 17,540 vehicles with PAB. 29% of these vehicles (n=5,092) had children (n=5,127) occupying the front seat at the time of the crash, including 3132 children 12 years old or younger. A total of 415 children were identified as exposed to a deploying PAB, representing 24 children per 1000 crashes of PAB-equipped vehicles. Young children less than 13 years old represented 56% of the children exposed to deploying PAB. Overall, 8% of children in the front seat of a PAB-equipped vehicle were actually exposed to deploying PAB. The study may underestimate the actual number of children exposed to deploying PAB, because the sample is based on an insured population, and, therefore, is potentially not representative of all newer vehicles with child occupants. For the covering abstract of the conference see ITRD E203784.