National roadside survey of child restraint system use in Belgium

Most of the drivers were ignorant of their own errors concerning the inappropriateness and/or misuse of the CRS or they were remiss and underestimated the risk. The three main reasons given by the drivers to explain or justify the misuse noticed were: low attention level to safety (inattention, time pressure, and short distance), the child's resistance to be restrained, children restraining themselves and problems with the CRS. The present results suggest little or no change in the level of correct CRS use over the last five years and clearly reveal the unacceptably high levels of incorrect and/or inappropriate CRS use. This calls for campaigns and other actions to inform and motivate the population.