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‘Freakonomics’ Author Questions Effectiveness of Child-Safety Seats
Feb 18 2009 by Emily Hansen
A 2005 lecture by world-renowned economist and “Freakonomics” author Steven Levitt has me questioning the use of child-safety seats for kids 2 and older. Levitt uses 30-plus years of U.S. government data to argue that child-safety seats are no more effective at preventing accident-related deaths than seat belts. He says the design of car seats and their often incorrect installation make them less effective.
About 80 percent of child-safety seats are improperly installed, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Latch system became standard in 2002, and it was intended to make it easier for parents to correctly install car seats. It doesn’t seem to have worked; a 2006 NHTSA study found that 40 percent of people were so confused by the Latch system that they still used seat belts to install their car seats (and we know they mostly didn’t do that right in the first place). Add to that the confusion over top tethers and different car-seat needs for different ages and sizes, and it’s no wonder parents have trouble getting it right. MotherProof.com tackles the top three car-seat installation mistakes in this video.
In a lecture at a TED Conference, Levitt says the answer to the car-seat quandary is integrated booster seats, because they would alleviate the discomfort created by seat belts rubbing against children’s necks. During a question-and-answer session, Levitt issued an important caveat to his lecture: He quoted fatality statistics in making his argument, but said that data involving serious injury to kids in car accidents isn’t as clear-cut.
I can hear some of the feedback now. What about all the jobs that revolve around child-safety seats? What about the fact that I just feel safer with my child in a car seat? And, finally, are you nuts, lady? Well, maybe I am, but it’s important to evaluate things, even if it means making difficult decisions down the road.
I’m not ready to go throw out my expensive car seats — besides the fact that I’m required by law to use them — but I’m intrigued by Levitt’s question. When is it appropriate to evaluate the effectiveness of car seats? Are we ready for results — even if they dispute what we previously believed?
User Comments
Correction to DaveT’s post:
Lap/shoulder belt = 3 point system (1 shoulder + 2 hips)
Carseat harness = 5 point system (2 shoulders + 2 hips + 1 crotch)
Race car drivers usually have 4 point systems (2 shoulders + 2 hips) with the head also secured at the back of the helmet.
But, yes, there is far too much evidence all over the world that carseats save lives. Thousands of lives every year in the U.S. alone (hundreds per month).
It’s also interesting to note that the Freakonomics guy secures his own child into a carseat each & every trip. If he’s so sure about his research then why doesn’t he follow his own advice?
I’m sure this is why they chose not to publish their “research” in any peer reviewed medical or injury prevention journals. By the way, they do admit that they did not at all account for correct vs. incorrect use.
About 4 out of 5 kids ride with an average of 3 potentially fatal misuse errors. It is MISUSE that increases the risk of injury. This is why it’s so important to READ + FOLLOW both the carseat & vehicle instruction manuals! However, even slightly misused carseats are far safer than just the seatbelt.
Here is a thorough response to the Freakonomics hullabaloo from a respected Child Passenger Safety Technician @ http://carseatblog.com/?p=88
I thought there was tons of evidence that seats reduced fatalities and injuries? No?
Regardless I would think if injury statistics aren’t easy to come by , whiplash cases aren’t either. Having a kid strapped into a three-point belt in a seat (like race car drivers) is better than a cross shoulder strap alone.
Also, uh, does anyone want to tell every child-less car owner they have to fork over and extra $500+ per car for booster seats they’ll never need? Yeah…didn’t think so.