Children in Car Seats Better Behaved and therefore Safer for Driving

The Pediatrics Department of Kansas University Medical Center performed a study wherein they observed children riding in automobiles with their mothers on repeated 15 minute rides. Children riding in car seats were found to have behaved much better than their unrestrained counterparts. When car seats were introduced to the children who previously had not used them, the level of safe, appropriate behavior dramatically improved. Similar behaviors were exhibited at the three month follow up analysis. The results of this study clearly show the benefits of reducing disruptive behavior in children by restraining them in age appropriate car seats. This practice is not only a safety advantage for young children but also reduces the stress a child who is misbehaving poses.