An estimate of the lifesaving benefit of child restraint use legislation

This paper presents the first econometric estimate of the lifesaving benefit of automobile child restraint use legislation, and suggests that legislation reduces childhood car-occupant fatalities by 39% for infants, and 30% among toddlers.

Abstract

This paper presents the first econometric estimate of the lifesaving benefit of automobile child restraint use legislation. In contrast to previous econometric analyses of traffic safety regulations, modified count data models are employed to account for the rarity of childhood fatalities. Results of the modeling suggest that legislation reduces childhood car-occupant fatalities by 39% for infants, and 30% among toddlers. A simple simulation indicates that such legislation is currently saving the lives of about 160 children per year in the United States.