Promoting Child Passenger Safety: A Comparison of Two Positive Methods

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Abstract
The present investigation examined the comparative influence on increasing usage of child safety devices (CSD) by rewarding children for their use of the devices and by informing parents about possible improved behavior exhibited by children when they are buckled up. The subjects were children aged 6 months through 6 years at two day care centers. The mean age of the children at Center I was 3.8 and 3.7 years at Center II. Observations of safety device use were conducted when children arrived at the centers in the morning. Four stages of the study were implemented at each center with se quential combinations of conditions: Baseline, Reward, Behavioral Improve ment Emphasis, and Return to Baseline. The procedure of informing parents about possible improved behavior exhibited by secured children had minimal effect on increasing the number of children in CSDs. However, rewarding children for their use of CSDs significantly influenced usage. Rewarding children for being in CSDs also positively influenced driver rates of seat belt use.