The 2009 National Survey of the Use of Booster Seats

DOT HS 811 377

September 2010

The 2009 National Survey of the
Use of Booster Seats

Disclaimer

This publication is distributed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration, in the interest of information exchange. The opinions, findings, and conclusions
expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Department of
Transportation or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The United States Government
assumes no liability for its contents or use thereof. If trade or manufacturers’ names or products are
mentioned, it is because they are considered essential to the object of the publication and should not be
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1. Report No.

2. Government Accession No.

Technical Report Documentation Page

3. Recipient's Catalog No.

DOT HS 811 377
4. Title and Subtitle

5. Report Date

September 2010

The 2009 National Survey of the Use of Booster Seats
7. Author(s)

6. Performing Organization Code

NVS-421

8. Performing Organization Report No.
*

Timothy M. Pickrell, and Tony Jianqiang Ye

†

9. Performing Organization Name

Mathematical Analysis Division, National Center for Statistics and Analysis
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NVS-421
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.
Washington, DC 20590
12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address

Mathematical Analysis Division, National Center for Statistics and Analysis
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NVS-421
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.
Washington, D.C. 20590

10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS)

11. Contract or Grant No.

13. Type of Report and Period Covered

NHTSA Technical Report
14. Sponsoring Agency Code

15. Supplementary Notes

* Mathematical statistician, Mathematical Analysis Division, National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA
† Mathematical statistician, Contractor, National Center for Statistics and Analysis, NHTSA
Abstract

The report presents results from the 2009 National Survey of the Use of Booster Seats (NSUBS), the only
probability-based nationwide child restraint survey in the United States that observes restraint use and interviews
an adult occupant to collect race, ethnicity, and other data. The NSUBS is conducted by the National Center for
Statistics and Analysis, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The 2009 NSUBS found that 41 percent
of 4- to 7-year-old children were restrained in booster seats in 2009 as compared to 43 percent in 2008. The
restraint use for children 1 to 3 increased from 92 percent to 96 percent while the restraint use rate for all children
under 13 remained unchanged at 89 percent. There was some improvement in restraint use by non-Hispanic Black
or African-American children. Restraint use by Hispanic children was significantly lower than non-Hispanic
children across all age groups.

17. Key Words

Booster seats, child restraints, child safety seats, car seats,
race, ethnicity, occupant protection, Hispanic

18. Distribution Statement

Document is available to the public from the National
Technical Information Service www.ntis.gov.

19. Security Classif. (of this report)

20. Security Classif. (of this page)

21. No. of Pages

Unclassified

Unclassified

42

Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72)

22. Price

Reproduction of completed page authorized

i

ii

Executive Summary
The report presents results from the 2009 National Survey of the Use of Booster Seats (NSUBS).
NSUBS is the only probability-based nationwide child restraint survey in the United States that observes
restraint use and interviews an adult occupant to collect data such as the race and ethnicity of all
occupants in the vehicle. The NSUBS is conducted by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis,
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In 2000, Congress passed the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation
(TREAD) Act that directed the Department of Transportation to reduce by 25 percent the fatalities and
injuries among 4- to 7-year-olds caused by the failure to use booster seats. In response, NHTSA began
the NSUBS survey in 2006 to provide a national estimate of booster seat use in order to target its
outreach programs. The year 2009 is the fourth year for the NSUBS. The next NSUBS will be conducted
in 2011.
The primary purpose of the NSUBS is to estimate booster seat use. In addition, the survey provides
restraint use estimates for all children under 13, race and ethnicity breakouts of restraint use among all
occupants in a vehicle, and estimates of the extent to which children are prematurely graduated to
restraint types that are inappropriate for their heights or weights.
The following are some major findings from the 2009 NSUBS:
• Booster seat use among 4- to 7-year-old children stood at 41 percent in 2009, statistically
unchanged from the prior year’s rate of 43 percent.
• The appropriate restraint system for 4- to 7-year-old children is either a forward-facing safety
seat or a booster seat, depending on the child’s height and weight. However, the NSUBS found
that 45 percent of children 4 to 7 in the United States were not being properly protected – 32
percent in seat belts and 13 percent unrestrained.
• The restraint use for children 1 to 3 increased from 92 percent in 2008 to 96 percent in 2009
while the restraint use rate for all children under 13 remained unchanged at 89 percent.
• There was some improvement in restraint use by non-Hispanic Black or African-American
children. In particular, the restraint use for non-Hispanic Black or African-American children 1
to 3 increased from 74 percent in 2008 to 92 percent in 2009.
• The restraint use by Hispanic children was significantly lower than non-Hispanic children across
all age groups.
• There were still some indications of premature graduation to restraint types that are not

appropriate for children’s heights and weights.

• Seat belt use continued to be statistically significantly lower for Hispanics, and for non-Hispanic
Black or African-Americans, than other race and ethnicity groups among passenger vehicle
occupants 25 to 69 traveling with children.
• Seat belt use continued to be statistically significantly higher for non-Hispanic Asians, and for
non-Hispanic Whites, than other race and ethnicity groups among passenger vehicle occupants
25 to 69 traveling with children.

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1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590

iii

Table of Contents

1.

Introduction

1

2.

The National Estimates of Booster Seat Use

2

3.

Who Should Be in Booster Seats?

2

The National Estimates

2

Evidence of Premature Graduation to Booster Seats

4

Demographic Results

7

Age

7

Race and Ethnicity

7

Gender
4.

10

Premature Graduation

15

Premature Graduation Out of Rear-Facing Safety Seats

15

Premature Graduation Out of Forward-Facing Safety Seats

16

Premature Graduation to Seat Belts

16

5.

Occupants Traveling With Children

21

6.

NSUBS Methodology

25

7.
Appendix:

Sample Design

25

Sample Size

25

Data Collection

26

Estimation

26

References

28

Definitions and Categories in NSUBS

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1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590

30

iv

List of Figures

Figure 1: Booster Seat Use, National Estimates............................................................................................ 2

Figure 2: Restraint Use for Children 4 to 7 Years Old ................................................................................... 3

Figure 3: Restraint Use for Children 4 and 5 Years Old................................................................................. 3

Figure 4: Restraint Use for Children 6 and 7 Years Old................................................................................. 4

Figure 5: Child Restraint Use by Age and Year .............................................................................................. 7

Figure 6: Child Restraint Use by Age and Race/Ethnicity in 2009 ................................................................. 8

Figure 7: Child Restraint Use by Age and Hispanic Origin in 2009 ................................................................ 8

Figure 8: Restraint Use among Non-Hispanic Black or African-American Children ...................................... 9

Figure 9: Child Restraint Use by Age and Gender in 2009 .......................................................................... 10

Figure 10: Distribution of Restraint Types in 2009 for Children Under 1 Year Old or Under 20 Pounds ... 15

Figure 11: Distribution of Restraint Types for Children 12 and Under Who Were 20 to 40 Pounds ......... 16

Figure 12: Distribution of Restraint Types in 2009 for Children 12 and Under Who Were 37 to 56 Inches

Tall ...................................................................................................................................................... 17

Figure 13: Restraint Use by Age and Race/Ethnicity for Occupants Traveling With Children in 2009 ....... 22

Figure 14: Restraint Use by Age and Race/Ethnicity for Occupants Traveling With Children in 2009 ....... 22

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1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590

v

List of Tables

Table 1: Booster Seat Use, by Age, Weight, or Height.................................................................................. 5

Table 2: Distribution of Restraint Types Among Children 4 to 7 Years Old By Sub-age Groups................... 6

Table 3: Restraint Use Among Children Under 12 Months Old .................................................................. 11

Table 4: Restraint Use Among Children Age 1 – 3 Years............................................................................. 12

Table 5: Restraint Use Among Children Age 4 – 7 Years............................................................................. 13

Table 6: Restraint Use Among Children Age 8 – 12 Years........................................................................... 14

Table 7: The Types of Restraints Used by Children 0-12 Years Old, by Weight .......................................... 18

Table 8: The Types of Restraints Used by Children 12 and Under, by Height ............................................ 19

Table 9: The Types of Restraints Used by Children 12 and Under, by Age ................................................. 20

Table 10: Restraint Use of Occupants Traveling with Children by Age and Race/Ethnicity ....................... 23

Table 11: Sites, Vehicles, Occupants, and Children 12 and under Years in NSUBS .................................... 26

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vi

1. Introduction
In 2000, Congress passed the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation
Act (Pub. L. 106-414; November 1, 2000), which directed the Department of Transportation to develop a
five-year strategic plan to reduce by 25 percent fatalities and injuries among 4- to 7-year-olds caused by
failure to use booster seats. Therefore, there was a need for reliable data on who is not using booster
seats in order to direct outreach programs where they are most needed.
Prior to the NSUBS, research sponsored by NHTSA and several other organizations have estimated
booster seat use in the United States; however, these estimates are not sufficiently reliable because they
use data either from a non-probability sample that may not result in nationally representative estimates or
from telephone interviews that may not result in reliable estimates.
In 2006, NHTSA conducted the first-ever nationwide survey of booster seat use in the United States that
uses a probability sample and collects data based on the observation of children in vehicles. The NSUBS
yields demonstrably representative results on a certain population of children. The population of
children captured by the NSUBS comprises the children who are conveyed by passenger vehicle to gas
stations, fast food restaurants, day care centers, or recreation centers.
NTHSA has used the NSUBS data in its outreach programs and campaigns on child passenger safety in
recent years. In 2008, the total number of traffic crash fatalities among children 4 to 7 has reduced to
around 320 as compared to 570 in 2000 (NHTSA, 2009).
The 2009 NSUBS was conducted from July 17 to August 1, 2009. The survey estimates were computed
based on the results of 9,471 children observed in 6,033 vehicles at 433 observation sites across the
country.
The purpose of this report is to present results from the 2009 NSUBS. In previous years (2006 to 2008),
NHTSA presented the results from the survey through three or four Research Notes, each of which
covered one specific topic. This consolidated report is an attempt to pool together as many results as
possible from the 2009 survey for the convenience of data users. In order to be consistent with the
publications in previous years, sections in this report are arranged to cover similar topics to those in the
Research Notes published from 2006 to 2008.
It should be noted that this report has classified child restraint systems into four general categories: child
safety seats (with harness strap, including rear-facing and forward-facing), booster seats (without harness
strap, including high-backed and backless), seat belts, and unrestrained. Please refer to the Appendix for
detailed definitions. Unless otherwise indicated, “significant” always means “statistically significant” in
this report.

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1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590

1

2. The National Estimates of Booster Seat Use
Who Should Be in Booster Seats?
NHTSA’s official guidance on booster seats is: Once children outgrow their forward-facing seats
(usually around age 4 and 40 pounds), they should ride in booster seats, in the back seat, until the vehicle
seat belts fit properly. Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs and the
shoulder belt fits across the chest (usually at age 8 or when they are 4’9” tall). 1

The National Estimates

Booster Seat Use by
4-7 year -olds

The 2009 NSUBS found that booster seat use among 4- to 7-year-old children stood at 41 percent in
2009, statistically unchanged from 43 percent in 2008 (Figure 1).
100%
80%
60%

41%

37%

2006

2007

40%

43%

41%

2008

2009

20%
0%

Figure 1: Booster Seat Use, National Estimates
The appropriate restraint system for children 4 to 7 is either a forward-facing safety seat or a booster
seat, depending on the child’s height and weight. However, the NSUBS found that in 2009, 41 percent of
children in this age group were using booster seats (whether high-backed or backless), 14 percent were
restrained in child safety seats, 32 percent were in seat belts, and 13 percent were unrestrained (Figure
2). These results indicate that as many as 45 percent (32% in seat belts and 13 percent unrestrained) of
children 4 to 7 in the United States were not being properly protected.

1

For more details, see NHTSA’s “Child Passenger Safety: A Parent’s Primer,” DOT HS 809 953, at
http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/childps/boosterseatprogress/index.htm or at
http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/childps/boosterseatprogress/images/BSProgressReport.pdf

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590

2

Restraint Use, in Percent

100%

2008

80%
60%

43%

40%
20%

12%

41%

34%

2009

32%

14%

11%

13%

0%

Child Safety Seat

Booster Seat

Seat Belt

Unrestrained

Figure 2: Restraint Use for Children 4 to 7 Years Old
The 2009 NSUBS survey found that among the 4- to 7-year-olds, the younger children (4- to 5--yearolds) had higher booster seat use than the older (6- to 7--year-olds) children. In 2009, 46 percent of
children age 4 and 5 were restrained in booster seats while only 36 percent of children age 6 and 7 were
in booster seats. Figure 3 and Figure 4 show the distributions of restraint use for these two sub-age
groups.

Restraint Use, in Percent

100%

2008

2009

80%
60%

48%

46%

40%
20%

19%

22%

22%

20%

11%

12%

0%

Safety Seat

Booster Seat

Seat Belt

Unrestrained

Figure 3: Restraint Use for Children 4 and 5 Years Old

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1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590

3

Restraint Use, in Percent

100%

2008

2009

80%
60%

52%
35%

40%
20%
0%

1%

47%

36%
12%

3%

Safety Seat

Booster Seat

Seat Belt

14%

Unrestrained

Figure 4: Restraint Use for Children 6 and 7 Years Old

Evidence of Premature Graduation to Booster Seats
A review of child safety seats on the market finds a wide variation in height and weight limits. Many
height limits range between 36 and 54 inches, and many weight limits range from 40 to 60 pounds.
These limits will be considered in applying the NHTSA recommendation to assess the survey results in
this report.
The booster seat use estimates presented in Table 1 and Table 2 show some evidence of premature
graduation. For instance, 22 percent of children12 and under who weigh between 20 and 40 pounds were
using booster seats in 2009. However, most forward-facing safety seats allow weights above 40 pounds.
We note however that some booster seats have lower weight limits in the 20- to 40-pound range.
Likewise, 13 percent of children12 and under who were at most 36 inches tall were using booster seats in
2009. However, most forward-facing safety seats allow heights above 36 inches. Therefore, many (if not
most) of these children should have been in forward-facing safety seats (unless they have outgrown the
seat’s weight limits).
The NSUBS provides a rich data source for information on the premature graduation of children12 and
under to restraint types that are inappropriate for their heights or weights. Please see Section 4
“Premature Graduation” for detailed discussions on this topic.

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Table 1: Booster Seat Use, by Age, Weight, or Height
2008
Percentage of
Children3
Using the
Booster Type
2

Booster Seat Type1

Booster Seat (Overall)
High-Backed Booster Seat
Backless Booster Seat
Booster Seat (Overall)
High-Backed Booster Seat
Backless Booster Seat
Booster Seat (Overall)
High-Backed Booster Seat
Backless Booster Seat
Booster Seat (Overall)
High-Backed Booster Seat
Backless Booster Seat
Booster Seat (Overall)
High-Backed Booster Seat
Backless Booster Seat
Booster Seat (Overall)
High-Backed Booster Seat
Backless Booster Seat
Booster Seat (Overall)
High-Backed Booster Seat
Backless Booster Seat
Booster Seat (Overall)
High-Backed Booster Seat
Backless Booster Seat
Booster Seat (Overall)
High-Backed Booster Seat
Backless Booster Seat
Booster Seat (Overall)
High-Backed Booster Seat
Backless Booster Seat

2009
Percentage of
Children3 Using
the Booster
Type

2008-2009 Change

2

Standard
Error

Standard
Error

Change in
Percentage
Points

Children Age 1 to 3 Years Old
4%
13%
2%
4%
11%
2%
1%
3%
0%
Children 4 to 7 Years Old
43%
4%
41%
3%
26%
3%
24%
3%
17%
2%
17%
2%
Children Age 8 to 12 Years Old
6%
1%
5%
1%
2%
1%
2%
1%
3%
1%
3%
0%
Children 12 and Under Years Who Weigh Between 20 and 40 Pounds
21%
4%
22%
4%
15%
3%
16%
4%
6%
1%
6%
1%
Children 12 and Under Years Who Weigh Between 41 and 60 Pounds
40%
3%
36%
3%
23%
2%
18%
2%
17%
3%
17%
2%
Children 12 and Under Years Who Weigh More than 60 Pounds
7%
1%
7%
1%
3%
1%
3%
1%
4%
1%
4%
0%
Children 12 and Under Years Who Are At Most 36 Inches Tall
14%
2%
13%
2%
10%
2%
9%
2%
4%
1%
4%
1%
Children 12 and Under Years Who Are Between 37 and 53 Inches Tall
34%
4%
32%
3%
21%
2%
19%
3%
13%
2%
13%
1%
Children 12 and Under Years Who Are Between 54 and 56 Inches Tall
12%
4%
6%
1%
4%
2%
2%
0%
8%
3%
4%
1%
Children 12 and Under Years Who Are Taller than 56 Inches
3%
1%
2%
1%
2%
1%
1%
0%
1%
1%
1%
1%
13%
11%
3%

Confidence in a
Change in
Percentage4

0
0
0

4%
1%
13%

-2
-2
0

36%
47%
4%

-1
0
0

43%
59%
3%

1
1
0

7%
10%
9%

-4
-5
0

82%
94%
4%

0
0
0

37%
2%
58%

-1
-1
0

25%
38%
24%

-2
-2
0

33%
34%
7%

-6
-2
-4

99%
98%
94%

-1
-1
0

75%
89%
22%

1

Booster seats are classified into two types: those with seat backs (“high-backed”) and those without (“backless”).

Estimates might not sum to totals due to rounding.

3
Survey data are obtained on children12 and under in passenger vehicles at a nationwide probability sample of gas stations, day care centers,

recreation centers, and restaurants in five fast food chains. Restraint use is observed by trained data collectors prior to or just as the vehicle

comes to a stop, except in the case of observation at fast food drive-through lanes, where restraint use is observed prior to the vehicle

reaching the drive-through window.

4
The degree of statistical confidence that the 2009 use rate is different from the 2008 rate. Confidences that meet or exceed 90 percent are

formatted in boldface type.

Note: Booster seat use rates for children under 12 months and who weigh less than 20 pounds are not provided due to the insufficient data to

produce reliable estimates.

Source: The National Survey of the Use of Booster Seats, NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 2008-2009

2

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Table 2: Distribution of Restraint Types Among Children 4 to 7 By Sub-age Groups

Restraint Type1

2008
Percentage2
of Children3
Standard
Observed in
Error
the Restraint
Type

Rear-Facing Child Safety Seat
Forward-Facing Child Safety Seat
Booster Seat (Overall)
High-Backed Booster Seat
Backless Booster Seat
Seat Belt
No Restraint Observed

NA
19%
48%
32%
17%
22%
11%

Rear-Facing Child Safety Seat
Forward-Facing Child Safety Seat
Booster Seat (Overall)
High-Backed Booster Seat
Backless Booster Seat
Seat Belt
No Restraint Observed

NA
1%
35%
17%
18%
52%
12%

Rear-Facing Child Safety Seat
Forward-Facing Child Safety Seat
Booster Seat (Overall)
High-Backed Booster Seat
Backless Booster Seat
Seat Belt
No Restraint Observed

NA
12%
43%
26%
17%
34%
11%

2009
Percentage2
of Children3
Standard
Observed in
Error
the Restraint
Type

Children 4 and 5 Years Old
NA
NA
5%
22%
5%
46%
3%
31%
2%
15%
6%
20%
2%
12%
Children 6 and 7 Years Old
NA
NA
0%
3%
5%
36%
2%
16%
3%
20%
5%
47%
2%
14%
Children 4 to 7 Years Old
NA
NA
3%
14%
4%
41%
3%
24%
2%
17%
5%
32%
1%
13%

2008-2009 Change
Change in
Percentage
Points

Confidence
in a Change
in
Percentage4

NA
3%
4%
4%
2%
1%
4%

NA
3
-2
-1
-2
-2
1

NA
58%
43%
9%
63%
47%
23%

NA
1%
4%
2%
3%
2%
3%

NA
2
1
-1
2
-5
2

NA
96%
21%
43%
53%
97%
40%

NA
2%
3%
3%
2%
2%
3%

NA
2
-2
-2
0
-2
2

NA
55%
36%
47%
4%
57%
33%

1
Survey data are obtained on children 0-12 in passenger vehicles at a nationwide probability sample of gas stations, day care
centers, recreation centers, and restaurants in five fast food chains.
2
Estimates might not sum to totals due to rounding.
3
Restraint use is observed by trained data collectors prior to or just as the vehicle comes to a stop, except in the case of
observation at fast food drive-through lanes, where restraint use is observed prior to the vehicle reaching the drive-through
window
4
The degree of statistical confidence that the 2009 use rate is different from the 2008 rate. Confidences that meet or exceed 90
percent are formatted in boldface type.
NA: Data not sufficient to produce a reliable estimate.
Source: The National Survey of the Use of Booster Seats, NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 2008-2009

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6

3. Demographic Results
The NSUBS, although its primary purpose is to estimate booster seat use among 4- to 7-year-olds, has
information on the restraint use of all children under 13 and on race/ethnicity results on restraint use
among occupants of all ages. This section reports some major demographic results of child restraint use
from the 2009 NSUBS.
It should be noted that if a column corresponding to a data series or a data category is missing from a
figure in this section, it means that there are not sufficient data to produce a reliable estimate for the data
category. Also note that sometimes estimates might not sum to totals due to rounding.

Age
In 2009, although the restraint use for all children 12 and under remained unchanged at 89 percent, the
restraint use for children 1 to 3 years old increased significantly to 96 percent from 92 percent in 2008.
The restraint use rates for children under 12 months, 1 to 3, 4 to 7, and 8 to 12 in 2009 were 98 percent,
96 percent, 87 percent, and 85 percent respectively. Figure 5 compares the restraint use of children 12
and under by age in 2008 and 2009. It should be noted that the restraint use in Figure 5 includes any type
of restraint, even those that are age-inappropriate.

Restraint Use, in Percent

100%
90%

2008

99% 98%
92%

2009

96%
89%

80%

87%

85% 85%

70%
60%
50%
Age 0-12 Months

Age 1-3 Years

Age 4-7 Years

Age 8-12 Years

Figure 5: Child Restraint Use by Age and Year

Race and Ethnicity
Unlike the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) in which racial information of vehicle
occupants is obtained by visual assessment, NSUBS data collectors conduct interviews to obtain race
and ethnicity of passenger vehicle occupants including all child occupants under 13.
Figure 6 shows the overall picture of child restraint use by race and ethnicity across all age groups.

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1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590

7

100%

99%
94% 98%

Restraint Use

80%

88%

92% 99%

100%

93% 97% 94%

99%
83%
74%

60%

90%

91%
80%

79% 75%

40%
20%
0%

Age 0-12 Months
Hispanic

Age 1-3 Years

Black Non-Hispanic

Age 8-12 Years

Age 4-7 Years

White Non-Hispanic

Asian Non-Hispanic

Other

Figure 6: Child Restraint Use by Age and Race/Ethnicity in 2009
As it shows clearly in Figures 6 and 7, Hispanic children had significantly lower restraint use rates than
Non-Hispanic children across all age groups.

Hispanic

Restraint Use

100%

80%

94%

99%

Not Hispanic

98%

91%

88%
74%

60%

88%
79%

40%
20%
0%

Age 0-12 Months

Age 1-3 Years

Age 4-7 Years

Age 8-12 Years

Figure 7: Child Restraint Use by Age and Hispanic Origin in 2009
The 2009 NSUBS also shows that restraint use has improved among non-Hispanic Black or AfricanAmerican children. In particular, the restraint use among children 1 to 3 who are non-Hispanic Black or
African-American increased significantly to 92 percent in 2009 from 74 percent in 2008 (Figure 8).

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1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590

8

Restraint Use, in Percent

100%
90%

94%

98%
92%

80%

84% 83%

70%

74%

72%

75%

60%
50%

Age 0-12 Months

Age 1-3 Years

Age 4-7 Years

Age 8-12 Years

Figure 8: Restraint Use among Non-Hispanic Black or African-American Children
Race and ethnicity data in the NSUBS is collected in accordance with Federal standards set forth by the
Office of the Management and Budget (OMB). Specifically, the following 10 race/ethnicity categories
are employed in the survey data collection:
Not Hispanic nor Latino and
• American Indian or Alaska Native
• Asian
• Black or African-American
• Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
• White
Hispanic or Latino and
• American Indian or Alaska Native
• Asian
• Black or African-American
• Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
• White
The NSUBS data collectors ask an adult occupant of a vehicle (usually the driver) to report the race and
ethnicity of all occupants. Respondents reporting themselves (or others) to be multiracial are recorded
by the data collector as such.
Because of insufficient numbers of children observed in certain race/ethnic groups, we report the
NSUBS data using the following five collapsed race/ethnicity groups:
• Hispanic or Latino
• White Non-Hispanic
• Black or African-American Non-Hispanic
• Asian Non-Hispanic
• Other Non-Hispanic (which comprises people not of Hispanic origin who are American Indian,
Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander)
For information on the OMB standards for the collection of race and ethnicity data in government
surveys, please see “Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and
Ethnicity, Federal Register Notice, Volume 62, Number 210, pages 58781-58790, October 30, 1997,”
available at www.omb.gov.
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590

9

Gender
The 2009 NSUBS shows that the restraint use rates among boys and girls 1 to 12 years old were not
statistically different (Figure 9). However, for children 12 months and under, girls had statistically
significantly higher restraint use rate than boys.

Boys

Restraint Use

100%
90%

97%

99%

96%

Girls

95%
87%

80%

87%

86%

85%

70%
60%
50%

Age 0-12 Months

Age 1-3 Years

Age 4-7 Years

Age 8-12 Years

Figure 9: Child Restraint Use by Age and Gender in 2009

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590

10

Table 3: Restraint Use Among Children 12 Months and Under

Subgroup of Children 12 Months
and Under1,4
All Children Age Under 12 Months
Children Who Are

2008
Estimated
Restraint
Use2

Confidence
That Use Is
High or Low
in Group3

99 %

Boys
Girls

Children Who Are Reported to Be4
White Non-Hispanic
Black or African-American Non-Hispanic
Asian Non-Hispanic
Other Non-Hispanic
Hispanic or Latino
Children Reported to Be4
Hispanic or Latino
Neither Hispanic nor Latino
Children Whose Height4 Is Between
0 and 36 Inches
37 and 53 Inches
54 and 56 Inches
57 Inches or More
Children Who Weigh4 Between
0 and 19 Pounds
20 and 40 Pounds
41 and 60 Pounds
61 Pounds or More
Children Surveyed at a
Gas Station
Fast Food Restaurant
Day Care Center
Recreation Center

2009
Estimated
Restraint
Use2

Confidence
That Use Is
High or Low
in Group3

98%

2008-2009 Change
Change in
Percentage
Points

Confidence in
a Change in
Use5

-1

43%

98%
99%

83%
83%

97%
99%

91%
91%

-1
0

59%
19%

100%
94%
NA
NA
96%

99%
95%
NA
NA
88%

99%
98%
NA
NA
94%

96%
56%
NA
NA
95%

-1
4
NA
NA
-2

78%
86%
NA
NA
68%

96%
99%

88%
88%

94%
99%

95%
95%

-2
0

68%
32%

99%
NA
NA
NA

99%
NA
NA
NA

98%
NA
NA
NA

0%
NA
NA
NA

-1
NA
NA
NA

42%
NA
NA
NA

99%
98%
NA
NA

78%
78%
NA
NA

99%
97%
NA
NA

83%
83%
NA
NA

0
-1
NA
NA

31%
6%
NA
NA

98%
94%
100%
100%

64%
98%
NA
NA

97%
96%
100%
NA

88%
90%
98%
NA

-1
2
0
NA

52%
81%
80%
NA

1

Survey data are obtained on children12 and under in passenger vehicles at a nationwide probability sample of gas stations, day
care centers, recreation centers, and restaurants in five fast food chains.
2
Use of child safety seats (forward- or rear-facing), booster seats, and seat belts. Restraint use is observed by trained data
collectors prior to or just as the vehicle comes to a stop, except in the case of observation at fast food drive-through lanes, where
restraint use is observed prior to the vehicle reaching the drive-through window.
3
The statistical confidence that use in the occupant group (e.g., child occupants who are boys) is higher or lower than use in the
corresponding complementary occupant group (e.g., child occupants who are girls). Confidences that meet or exceed 90 percent
are formatted in boldface type. Confidences are rounded to the nearest percentage point, and so confidences reported as “100
percent” are between 99.5 percent and 100 percent.
4
Race, ethnicity, height, weight, and age of children are obtained by asking an adult occupant.
5
The degree of statistical confidence that the 2009 use rate is different from the 2008 rate. Confidences that meet or exceed 90
percent are formatted in boldface type.
NA: Data not sufficient to produce a reliable estimate.
Source: The National Survey of the Use of Booster Seats, NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 2008-2009

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590

11

Table 4: Restraint Use Among Children Age 1 – 3 Years

Subgroup of Children Age 1-3
Years1,4
All Children Age 1-3 Years

2008
Estimated
Restraint
Use2

Confidence
That Use Is
High or Low
in Group3

2009
Estimated
Restraint
Use2

Confidence
That Use Is
High or Low
in Group3

96%

92%

2008-2009 Change
Change in
Percentage
Points

Confidence in
a Change in
Use5

4

100%

Children Who Are
Boys
Girls

92%
92%

58%
58%

96%
95%

79%
79%

4
3

98%
93%

White Non-Hispanic
Black or African-American Non-Hispanic
Asian Non-Hispanic
Other Non-Hispanic
Hispanic or Latino

99%
74%
99%
86%
84%

100%
100%
100%
92%
98%

99%
92%
100%
99%
88%

100%
98%
100%
100%
100%

0
18
1
13
4

47%
99%
59%
99%
47%

Hispanic or Latino
Neither Hispanic nor Latino

84%
94%

98%
98%

88%
98%

100%
100%

4
4

47%
100%

Children Whose Height4 Is Between
0 and 36 Inches
37 and 53 Inches
54 and 56 Inches
57 Inches or More

91%
96%
NA
NA

99%
99%
NA
NA

96%
96%
NA
NA

69%
69%
NA
NA

5
0
NA
NA

100%
8%
NA
NA

0 and 19 Pounds
20 and 40 Pounds
41 and 60 Pounds
61 Pounds or More

75%
92%
93%
NA

82%
86%
61%
NA

100%
96%
86%
NA

100%
98%
99%
NA

25
4
-7
NA

80%
100%
89%
NA

Gas Station
Fast Food Restaurant
Day Care Center
Recreation Center

95%
94%
91%
98%

93%
77%
94%
100%

89%
93%
97%
99%

100%
93%
100%
100%

-6
-1
6
1

100%
29%
100%
83%

Children Who Are Reported to Be4

Children Reported to Be4

Children Who Weigh4 Between

Children Surveyed at a

1

Survey data are obtained on children 12 and under in passenger vehicles at a nationwide probability sample of gas stations, day
care centers, recreation centers, and restaurants in five fast food chains.
2
Use of child safety seats (forward- or rear-facing), booster seats, and seat belts. Restraint use is observed by trained data
collectors prior to or just as the vehicle comes to a stop, except in the case of observation at fast food drive-through lanes, where
restraint use is observed prior to the vehicle reaching the drive-through window.
3
The statistical confidence that use in the occupant group (e.g., child occupants who are boys) is higher or lower than use in the
corresponding complementary occupant group (e.g., child occupants who are girls). Confidences that meet or exceed 90 percent
are formatted in boldface type. Confidences are rounded to the nearest percentage point, and so confidences reported as “100
percent” are between 99.5 percent and 100 percent.
4
Race, ethnicity, height, weight, and age of children are obtained by asking an adult occupant.
5
The degree of statistical confidence that the 2009 use rate is different from the 2008 rate. Confidences that meet or exceed 90
percent are formatted in boldface type.
NA: Data not sufficient to produce a reliable estimate.
Source: The National Survey of the Use of Booster Seats, NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 2008-2009

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590

12

Table 5: Restraint Use Among Children Age 4 – 7 Years

Subgroup of Children Age 4-7
Years1,4
All Children Age 4-7

2008
Estimated
Restraint
Use2

Confidence
That Use Is
High or Low
in Group3

89%

2009
Estimated
Restraint
Use2

Confidence
That Use Is
High or Low
in Group3

87%

2008-2009 Change
Change in
Percentage
Points

Confidence
in a Change
in Use5

-2

33%

Children Who Are
Boys
Girls

88%
89%

82%
82%

87%
87%

53%
53%

-1
-2

24%
37%

White Non-Hispanic
Black or African-American Non-Hispanic
Asian Non-Hispanic
Other Non-Hispanic
Hispanic or Latino

93%
84%
95%
76%
82%

100%
95%
100%
100%
100%

93%
83%
97%
94%
74%

99%
88%
100%
98%
96%

0
-1
2
18
-8

0%
36%
51%
100%
51%

Hispanic or Latino
Neither Hispanic nor Latino

82%
90%

100%
100%

74%
91%

96%
96%

-8
1

51%
72%

Children Whose Height4 Is Between
0 and 36 Inches
37 and 53 Inches
54 and 56 Inches
57 Inches or More

89%
88%
90%
79%

68%
61%
61%
89%

85%
88%
94%
79%

90%
80%
96%
80%

-4
0
4
0

65%
21%
53%
3%

0 and 19 Pounds
20 and 40 Pounds
41 and 60 Pounds
61 Pounds or More

NA
87%
91%
84%

NA
93%
100%
98%

NA
90%
84%
91%

NA
98%
98%
85%

NA
3
-7
7

NA
69%
85%
97%

Gas Station
Fast Food Restaurant
Day Care Center
Recreation Center

84%
82%
91%
92%

100%
100%
100%
100%

78%
84%
89%
90%

100%
86%
89%
79%

-6
2
-2
-2

92%
40%
20%
74%

Children Who Are Reported to Be4

Children Reported to Be4

Children Who Weigh4 Between

Children Surveyed at a

1

Survey data are obtained on children 12 and under in passenger vehicles at a nationwide probability sample of gas stations, day
care centers, recreation centers, and restaurants in five fast food chains.
2
Use of child safety seats (forward- or rear-facing), booster seats, and seat belts. Restraint use is observed by trained data
collectors prior to or just as the vehicle comes to a stop, except in the case of observation at fast food drive-through lanes, where
restraint use is observed prior to the vehicle reaching the drive-through window.
3
The statistical confidence that use in the occupant group (e.g., child occupants who are boys) is higher or lower than use in the
corresponding complementary occupant group (e.g., child occupants who are girls). Confidences that meet or exceed 90 percent
are formatted in boldface type. Confidences are rounded to the nearest percentage point, and so confidences reported as “100
percent” are between 99.5 percent and 100 percent.
4
Race, ethnicity, height, weight, and age of children are obtained by asking an adult occupant.
5
The degree of statistical confidence that the 2009 use rate is different from the 2008 rate. Confidences that meet or exceed 90
percent are formatted in boldface type.
NA: Data not sufficient to produce a reliable estimate.
Source: The National Survey of the Use of Booster Seats, NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 2008-2009

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590

13

Table 6: Restraint Use Among Children Age 8 – 12 Years

Subgroup of Children Age 8-12
Years1,4
All Children Age 8-12

2008
Estimated
Restraint
Use2

Confidence
That Use Is
High or Low
in Group3

85%

2009
Estimated
Restraint
Use2

Confidence
That Use Is
High or Low
in Group3

85%

2008-2009 Change
Change in
Percentage
Points

Confidence
in a Change
in Use5

0

4%

Children Who Are
Boys
Girls

86%
85%

59%
59%

86%
85%

70%
70%

0
0

10%
10%

White Non-Hispanic
Black or African-American Non-Hispanic
Asian Non-Hispanic
Other Non-Hispanic
Hispanic or Latino

90%
72%
91%
77%
79%

100%
99%
91%
78%
97%

91%
75%
80%
90%
79%

100%
100%
79%
85%
100%

1
3
-11
13
0

21%
42%
87%
69%
0%

Hispanic or Latino
Neither Hispanic nor Latino

79%
87%

97%
97%

79%
88%

100%
100%

0
1

0%
49%

Children Whose Height4 Is Between
0 and 36 Inches
37 and 53 Inches
54 and 56 Inches
57 Inches or More

NA
87%
83%
85%

NA
89%
84%
67%

NA
85%
83%
87%

NA
60%
81%
88%

NA
-2
0
2

NA
48%
1%
61%

0 and 19 Pounds
20 and 40 Pounds
41 and 60 Pounds
61 Pounds or More

NA
NA
88%
84%

NA
NA
94%
95%

NA
NA
87%
85%

NA
NA
76%
78%

NA
NA
-1
1

NA
NA
13%
13%

Gas Station
Fast Food Restaurant
Day Care Center
Recreation Center

86%
85%
83%
92%

61%
54%
75%
100%

77%
86%
87%
89%

99%
59%
79%
84%

-9
1
4
-3

96%
22%
54%
67%

Children Who Are Reported to Be4

Children Reported to Be4

Children Who Weigh4 Between

Children Surveyed at a

1

Survey data are obtained on children 12 and under in passenger vehicles at a nationwide probability sample of gas stations, day
care centers, recreation centers, and restaurants in five fast food chains.
2
Use of child safety seats (forward- or rear-facing), booster seats, and seat belts. Restraint use is observed by trained data
collectors prior to or just as the vehicle comes to a stop, except in the case of observation at fast food drive-through lanes, where
restraint use is observed prior to the vehicle reaching the drive-through window.
3
The statistical confidence that use in the occupant group (e.g., child occupants who are boys) is higher or lower than use in the
corresponding complementary occupant group (e.g., child occupants who are girls). Confidences that meet or exceed 90 percent
are formatted in boldface type. Confidences are rounded to the nearest percentage point, and so confidences reported as “100
percent” are between 99.5 percent and 100 percent.
4
Race, ethnicity, height, weight, and age of children are obtained by asking an adult occupant.
5
The degree of statistical confidence that the 2009 use rate is different from the 2008 rate. Confidences that meet or exceed 90
percent are formatted in boldface type.
NA: Data not sufficient to produce a reliable estimate.
Source: The National Survey of the Use of Booster Seats, NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 2008-2009

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590

14

4. Premature Graduation
The NSUBS, although its primary purpose is to estimate booster seat use, also provides estimates of the
extent to which children are “prematurely graduated” to restraint types that are inappropriate for their
heights or weights. In the following sub-sections, we present the 2009 findings in three areas:
• Premature graduation out of rear-facing safety seats;
• Premature graduation out of forward-facing safety seats; and
• Premature graduation into seat belts.
A review of child safety seats on the market finds a wide variation in height and weight limits. Many
height limits range between 36 and 54 inches, and many weight limits range from 40 to 60 pounds.
These limits will be considered in applying the NHTSA recommendation to assess the survey results in
this report.
It should be noted that if a column corresponding to a data series or a data category is missing from a
figure in this section, it means that there are not sufficient data to produce a reliable estimate for the data
category. Also note that sometimes estimates might not sum to totals due to rounding.

Premature Graduation Out of Rear-Facing Safety Seats
NHTSA recommends that for the best possible protection, infants should be kept in the back seat, in
rear-facing child safety seats, as long as possible up to the height or weight limit of the particular seat. At
a minimum, infants should be kept rear-facing until a minimum of age 1 and at least 20 pounds
(NHTSA, 2005).

Percent of Children Using
the Restraint Type

100%
80%

83% 83%

Under Age 1

77%

Less Than 20 lbs

60%

Under Age 1 or Less Than 20 lbs

40%
20%

15% 15%

21%
1% 1%

0%

Rear-Facing Safety Seat Forward-Facing Safety Seat Seat Belt or Booster Seat

2% 1% 2%
Unrestrained

Figure 10: Distribution of Restraint Types in 2009 for Children Under 1 Year Old or Under 20 Pounds
However, the 2009 NSUBS found that:
• About 17 percent of children under age 1 were not in rear-facing seats in 2009 (14% in 2008).
• About 17 percent of children less than 20 pounds were not in rear-facing seats in 2009 (17% in
2008).
• About 23 percent of children who are under 1 or less than 20 pounds were not in rear-facing
seats in 2009 (21% in 2008).

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590

15

Most of the premature graduation for these children was to forward-facing child safety seats (Figure 10).

Premature Graduation Out of Forward-Facing Safety Seats
NHTSA recommends that when children outgrow their rear-facing seats (at a minimum age 1 and at least
20 pounds) they should ride in forward-facing child safety seats, in the back seat, until they reach the
upper weight or height limit of the particular seat, usually at around age 4 and 40 pounds (NHTSA,
2005).
The 2009 NSUBS found that 41 percent of children who are 20 to 40 pounds were not in forward-facing
safety seats in 2009 (44% in 2008) (Figure 11). Note, however, that some 20- to 40-pound children could
be infants who should be in rear-facing safety seats, and note that some booster seats have weight limits
as low as 30 pounds.

Percent of Children Using the
Restraint Type

100%

2008

80%

56%

60%

59%

40%
20%

21% 22%
5%

2009

4%

9% 9%

9% 6%

Seat Belt

Unrestrained

0%
Rear-Facing Safety Seat

Forward-Facing Safety
Seat

Booster Seat

Figure 11: Distribution of Restraint Types for Children 12 and Under Who Were 20 to 40 Pounds

Premature Graduation to Seat Belts
NHTSA recommends that once children outgrow their forward-facing seats (usually at around age 4 and
40 pounds), they should ride in booster seats, in the back seat, until the vehicle seat belts fit properly.
Seat belts fit properly when the lap belt lays across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt fits across the
chest, usually at age 8 or when they are 4’9” tall (NHTSA, 2005).
However, the 2009 NSUBS found that:
• Fifty-one percent of children 12 and under who are 37 to 53 inches tall were either unrestrained
or prematurely graduated to seat belts in 2009 (49% in 2008).
• Ninety-three percent of children 12and under who are 54 to 56 inches tall were either
unrestrained or prematurely graduated to seat belts in 2009 (85% in 2008). However, since 54 to
56 inches is marginally below NHTSA’s recommended height limit for seat belts, 57 inches (4’
9”), it might not be significant as a public safety result.
Figure 12 shows the results of the premature graduation to seat belts.

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590

16

Percent of Children Using the
Restraint Type

100%
78%

37-53 Inches Tall

80%

54-56 Inches Tall

60%
40%
20%
0%

39%

32%
16%
1%
Safety Seat

12% 15%

6%
Booster Seat

Seat Belt

Unrestrained

Figure 12: Distribution of Restraint Types in 2009 for Children 12 and Under Who Were 37 to 56 Inches Tall

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590

17

Table 7: The Types of Restraints Used by Children 12 and Under, by Weight
2008

2009

Percentage2

Restraint

Type1

of

Children3

Observed

Using the
Restraint

2008-2009 Change

Percentage2

Standard
Error

Type

of Children3
Observed

Using the

Standard

Restraint

Error

Change in

Percentage
Points

Type

Confidence

in a Change
in

Percentage4

Children Who Weigh Less Than 20 Pounds
Rear-Facing Child Safety Seat

83%

7%

83%

3%

0

8%

Forward-Facing Child Safety Seat

12%

3%

15%

2%

3

84%

High-Backed Booster Seat

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

Backless Booster Seat

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

Seat Belt

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

4%

5%

1%

1%

-3

58%

No Restraint Observed

Children Who Weigh Between 20 and 40 Pounds
Rear-Facing Child Safety Seat

5%

2%

4%

1%

-1

20%

Forward-Facing Child Safety Seat

56%

5%

59%

4%

3

61%

High-Backed Booster Seat

15%

3%

16%

4%

1

10%

Backless Booster Seat

6%

1%

6%

1%

0

9%

Seat Belt

9%

3%

9%

1%

0

20%

9%

1%

6%

1%

-3

99%

NA

NA

No Restraint Observed

Children Who Weigh Between 41 and 60 Pounds
Rear-Facing Child Safety Seat

NA

NA

NA

NA

Forward-Facing Child Safety Seat

8%

High-Backed Booster Seat

23%

2%

8%

1%

0

15%

2%

18%

2%

-5

94%

Backless Booster Seat
Seat Belt

17%

3%

17%

2%

0

4%

42%

4%

42%

2%

0

30%

No Restraint Observed

10%

2%

15%

4%

5

80%

NA

NA

NA

Children Who Weigh More Than 60 Pounds
NA

NA

NA

Forward-Facing Child Safety Seat

2%

1%

0%

0%

-2

99%

High-Backed Booster Seat

3%

1%

3%

1%

0

2%

Backless Booster Seat

4%

1%

4%

0%

0

58%

Seat Belt

75%

3%

79%

1%

4

90%

No Restraint Observed

16%

3%

14%

1%

-2

51%

Rear-Facing Child Safety Seat

1

Survey data are obtained on children12 and under in passenger vehicles at a nationwide probability sample of gas stations, day
care centers, recreation centers, and restaurants in five fast-food chains.
2
Estimates might not sum to totals due to rounding.
3
Restraint use is observed by trained data collectors prior to or just as the vehicle comes to a stop, except in the case of
observation at fast-food drive-through lanes, where restraint use is observed prior to the vehicle reaching the drive-through
window
4
The degree of statistical confidence that the 2009 use rate is different from the 2008 rate. Confidences that meet or exceed 90
percent are formatted in boldface type.
NA: Data not sufficient to produce a reliable estimate.
Source: The National Survey of the Use of Booster Seats, NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 2008-2009

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590

18

Table 8: The Types of Restraints Used by Children 12 and Under, by Height
2008

2009

Percentage2

Restraint

Type1

of

Children3

Observed

Using the
Restraint

2008-2009 Change

Percentage2

Standard
Error

Type

of Children3
Observed

Using the
Restraint

Standard
Error

Change in

Percentage
Points

Type

Confidence

in a Change
in

Percentage4

Rear-Facing Child Safety Seat

Children Who Are at Most 36 Inches Tall
16%
4%
15%

2%

-1

26%

Forward-Facing Child Safety Seat

55%

3%

58%

2%

3

66%

High-Backed Booster Seat

10%

2%

9%

2%

-1

38%

Backless Booster Seat

4%

1%

4%

1%

0

24%

Seat Belt

7%

2%

8%

1%

1

49%

No Restraint Observed

8%

2%

6%

1%

-2

84%

Children Who Are Between 37 and 53 Inches Tall
0%
0%
NA
NA

NA

NA

Rear-Facing Child Safety Seat
Forward-Facing Child Safety Seat

17%

4%

16%

2%

-1

19%

High-Backed Booster Seat

21%

2%

19%

3%

-2

34%

Backless Booster Seat

13%

2%

13%

1%

0

7%

Seat Belt

38%

4%

39%

2%

1

47%

No Restraint Observed

11%

2%

12%

3%

1

40%

NA

NA

Rear-Facing Child Safety Seat

Children Who Are Between 54 and 56 Inches Tall
NA
NA
NA
NA

Forward-Facing Child Safety Seat

2%

1%

1%

1%

-1

32%

High-Backed Booster Seat

4%

2%

2%

0%

-2

98%

Backless Booster Seat

8%

3%

4%

1%

-4

94%

Seat Belt

70%

5%

78%

3%

8

90%

No Restraint Observed

15%

4%

15%

2%

0

10%

Rear-Facing Child Safety Seat

Children Who Are Taller Than 56 Inches
NA
NA
NA

NA

NA

NA

Forward-Facing Child Safety Seat

0%

0%

NA

NA

NA

NA

High-Backed Booster Seat

2%

1%

1%

0%

-1

89%

Backless Booster Seat

1%

1%

1%

1%

0

22%

Seat Belt

81%

2%

85%

2%

4

84%

No Restraint Observed

16%

2%

13%

2%

-3

58%

1

Survey data are obtained on children12 and under in passenger vehicles at a nationwide probability sample of gas stations, day care centers,

recreation centers, and restaurants in five fast-food chains.

2
Estimates might not sum to totals due to rounding.

3
Restraint use is observed by trained data collectors prior to or just as the vehicle comes to a stop, except in the case of observation at fast-

food drive-through lanes, where restraint use is observed prior to the vehicle reaching the drive-through window

4
The degree of statistical confidence that the 2009 use rate is different from the 2008 rate. Confidences that meet or exceed 90 percent are

formatted in boldface type.

NA: Data not sufficient to produce a reliable estimate.

Source: The National Survey of the Use of Booster Seats, NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 2008-2009

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis

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19

Table 9: The Types of Restraints Used by Children 12 and Under, by Age
2008

2009

Percentage2

Restraint

Type1

of

Children3

Observed

Using the
Restraint

2008-2009 Change

Percentage2

Standard
Error

Type

of Children3
Observed

Using the
Restraint

Standard
Error

Change in

Percentage
Points

Type

Confidence

in a Change
in

Percentage4

Children Less Than 1 Year Old
Rear-Facing Child Safety Seat

86%

5%

83%

4%

-3

48%

Forward-Facing Child Safety Seat

12%

5%

15%

3%

3

45%

High-Backed Booster Seat

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

Backless Booster Seat

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

Seat Belt

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

No Restraint Observed

1%

1%

2%

1%

1

43%

Rear-Facing Child Safety Seat

2%

0%

1

63%

Children 1 to 3 Years Old
1%

3%

Forward-Facing Child Safety Seat

72%

7%

76%

2%

4

60%

High-Backed Booster Seat

11%

4%

11%

2%

0

1%

Backless Booster Seat

3%

1%

3%

0%

0

13%

Seat Belt

4%

2%

4%

1%

0

18%

No Restraint Observed

8%

2%

4%

1%

-4

100%

Rear-Facing Child Safety Seat

NA

NA

NA

NA

Children 4 to 7 Years Old
NA

NA

Forward-Facing Child Safety Seat

12%

3%

14%

2%

2

55%

High-Backed Booster Seat

26%

3%

24%

3%

-2

47%

Backless Booster Seat

17%

2%

17%

2%

0

4%

Seat Belt

34%

5%

32%

2%

-2

57%

No Restraint Observed

11%

1%

13%

3%

2

33%

Children 8 to 12 Years Old
Rear-Facing Child Safety Seat

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

Forward-Facing Child Safety Seat

1%

1%

1%

1%

0

33%

High-Backed Booster Seat

2%

1%

2%

1%

0

59%

Backless Booster Seat

3%

1%

3%

0%

0

3%

Seat Belt

78%

3%

79%

1%

1

25%

No Restraint Observed

15%

3%

15%

2%

0

4%

1

Survey data are obtained on children12 and under in passenger vehicles at a nationwide probability sample of gas stations, day care centers,
recreation centers, and restaurants in five fast-food chains.
2
Estimates might not sum to totals due to rounding.
3
Restraint use is observed by trained data collectors prior to or just as the vehicle comes to a stop, except in the case of observation at fast-food
drive-through lanes, where restraint use is observed prior to the vehicle reaching the drive-through window
4
The degree of statistical confidence that the 2009 use rate is different from the 2008 rate. Confidences that meet or exceed 90 percent are
formatted in boldface type.
NA: Data not sufficient to produce a reliable estimate
Source: The National Survey of the Use of Booster Seats, NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 2008-2009

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis

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20

5. Occupants Traveling With Children
The NSUBS, although its primary purpose is to estimate booster seat use among 4- to 7-year-olds, also
collects information on the race and ethnicity of other occupants traveling with children. This section
reports the major race and ethnicity results of occupants traveling with children from the 2009 NSUBS.
The NSUBS data collectors approach passenger vehicles appearing to have child occupants 12 and
under, observe the restraint use of up to nine occupants in the first three rows of seats, and conduct
interviews to obtain the race and ethnicity of all occupants. The approximate ages of non-child occupants
(expressed as an age range, such as 16 to 24) and the genders of all occupants are subjectively assessed
by the data collectors. Since race and ethnicity of all occupants are obtained through interviews instead
of subjective assessment of data collectors as in NOPUS and most other observational surveys, NSUBS
provides more accurate estimates on race and ethnicity of passenger vehicles occupants. However, it
should be noted that by design and necessity, the NSUBS survey only collects restraint use of vehicle
occupants who are transporting or riding with children 12 and under to a restricted set of site types such
as gas stations, day care centers, recreation centers, and restaurants in five fast food chains, not of all
vehicle occupants on the road.
The major findings from the 2009 survey on the demographic characteristics of occupants traveling with
children include the following:
• Seat belt use continued to be statistically significantly lower for Hispanics, and for non-Hispanic
Black or African-Americans, than other race and ethnicity groups among passenger vehicle
occupants 25 to 69 traveling with children (Figure 13 and Figure 14).
• Seat belt use continued to be statistically significantly higher for non-Hispanic Asians, and for
non-Hispanic Whites, than other race and ethnicity groups among passenger vehicle occupants
25 to 69 traveling with children (Figure 13).
• Restraint use for Hispanic occupants 13 to 15 dropped from 82 percent in 2008 to 66 percent in
2009 while restraint use for non-Hispanic occupants of the same age group also dropped from 83
percent in 2008 to 70 percent in 2009 (Table 10).
• Restraint use for Hispanic occupants 16-24 increased from 64 percent in 2008 to 92 percent in
2009 (Table 10).
It should be noted that if a column corresponding to a data series or a data category is missing from a
figure in this section, it means that there is not sufficient data to produce a reliable estimate for the data
category. Also note that sometimes estimates might not sum to totals due to rounding.

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis

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21

Restraint Use

100%
92%

80%
60%

73%

80%

Age 13-15 Years

Age 16-24 Years

66%

90%

84%
77%

92%

89%

76%

61%

40%
20%
0%
Hispanic

Black Non-Hispanic

Age 25-69 Years

White Non-Hispanic

Asian Non-Hispanic

Over 70 Years
Other Non-Hispanic

Figure 13: Restraint Use by Age and Race/Ethnicity for Occupants Traveling With Children in 2009

Restraint Use

100%

92%

80%
60%

66% 70%

80%

84% 88%

90%
Hispanic

40%

Not
Hispanic

20%
0%
Age 13-15

Age 16-24

Age 25-69

Age Over 70

Figure 14: Restraint Use by Age and Race/Ethnicity for Occupants Traveling With Children in 2009

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis

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Table 10: Restraint Use of Occupants Traveling With Children by Age and Race/Ethnicity
2008

Subgroup of Occupants1

Estimated
Restraint
Use2

Standard
Error

Confidence
That Use
Is High or
Low in
Group3

2009
Estimated
Restraint
Use2

Standard
Error

2008-2009 Change

Confidence
That Use
Is High or
Low in
Group3

Change in
Percentage
Points

Confidence
in a
Change in
Use4

Occupants Age 13 to 15 Years Old
Occupants Reported to Be5
White Non-Hispanic
Black or African-American NonHispanic
Asian Non-Hispanic

89%

6%

99%

73%

6%

90%

-16

100%

46%

19%

100%

61%

12%

77%

15

61%

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

82%

11%

53%

66%

4%

80%

-16

94%

Hispanic or Latino

82%

11%

53%

66%

4%

80%

-16

94%

Neither Hispanic nor Latino

83%

5%

53%

70%

4%

80%

-13

100%

Other Non-Hispanic
Hispanic or Latino
Occupants Reported to Be5

Occupants 16 to 24 Years Old
Occupants Reported to Be5
White Non-Hispanic
Black or African-American NonHispanic
Asian Non-Hispanic

80%

10%

96%

80%

6%

84%

0

3%

82%

5%

73%

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

64%

17%

92%

92%

5%

96%

28

100%

Hispanic or Latino

64%

17%

92%

92%

5%

96%

28

100%

Neither Hispanic nor Latino

80%

9%

92%

80%

5%

96%

0

2%

Other Non-Hispanic
Hispanic or Latino
Occupants Reported to Be5

Occupants 25 to 69 Years Old
Occupants Reported to Be5
White Non-Hispanic
Black or African-American NonHispanic
Asian Non-Hispanic
Other Non-Hispanic
Hispanic or Latino
Occupants Reported to Be5
Hispanic or Latino
Neither Hispanic nor Latino

91%

2%

100%

90%

1%

100%

-1

48%

80%

7%

99%

77%

3%

100%

-3

67%

96%
85%
85%

4%
9%
4%

100%
72%
98%

92%
76%
84%

2%
6%
2%

100%
98%
99%

-4
-9
-1

86%
72%
4%

85%
90%

4%
2%

98%
98%

84%
88%

2%
1%

99%
99%

-1
-2

4%
93%

Occupants 70 and Older
Occupants Reported to Be5
White Non-Hispanic
Black or African-American NonHispanic

Asian Non-Hispanic

Other Non-Hispanic
Hispanic or Latino
Occupants Reported to Be5
Hispanic or Latino
Neither Hispanic nor Latino

89%

13%

73%

89%

5%

62%

0

3%

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA
NA
80%

NA
NA
19%

NA
NA
72%

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

80%
88%

19%
10%

72%
72%

NA
90%

NA
4%

NA
68%

NA
2

NA
22%

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590

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1

Survey data are obtained on drivers and passengers of passenger vehicles appearing to contain a child 12 and under at a
nationwide probability sample of gas stations, day care centers, recreation centers, and restaurants in five fast food chains.
2
Restraint use is observed by trained data collectors prior to or just as the vehicle comes to a stop, except in the case of
observation at fast food drive-through lanes, where restraint use is observed prior to the vehicle reaching the drive-through
window.
3
The statistical confidence that use in the occupant group (e.g., occupants who are Hispanic or Latino) is higher or lower than
use in the corresponding complementary occupant group (e.g., occupants who are neither Hispanic nor Latino). Confidences that
meet or exceed 90 percent are formatted in boldface type. Confidences are rounded to the nearest percentage point, and so
confidences reported as “100 percent” are between 99.5 percent and 100.0 percent.
4
The degree of statistical confidence that the 2009 use rate is different from the 2008 rate. Confidences that meet or exceed 90
percent are formatted in boldface type.
5
Race and ethnicity of all occupants are obtained by interviewing an adult occupant in the vehicle (usually the driver).
Note: some estimates have large standard errors, e.g., standard error for belt use among non-Hispanic Blacks or AfricanAmericanss 13 to 15 was 12 percent in 2009, which means that the margin of error for this estimate was +/- 24 percentage points,
and thus the estimate could be as low as 37 percent.
NA: Data not sufficient to produce a reliable estimate.
Source: The National Survey of the Use of Booster Seats, NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 2008-2009

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6. NSUBS Methodology
This section discusses briefly the sample design, sample size, data collection, and estimation used in the
2009 NSUBS. For more details on the methodology of the survey, refer to “The 2006 National Survey of
the Use of Booster Seats – Methodology Report” (Glassbrenner, 2009) available at http://wwwnrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811111.PDF.

Sample Design
The NSUBS uses a complex multistage probability sample. The primary sampling unit (PSU) sampling
frame consists of the 50 sampled PSUs from the National Occupant Protection Use Survey of 2005, the
time of the NSUBS design. For more information on the NOPUS PSUs, refer to “The Safety Belt and
Helmet Use in 2002 – Overall Results” (Glassbrenner, 2002). As a first step to select the NSUBS PSUs,
16 NOPUS PSUs were selected from the above sampling frame: two with certainty (i.e., probability one)
and 14 using equal probability systematic sampling. Then, each of the selected 16 NOPUS PSUs was
partitioned into county groups (i.e., a county or two neighboring counties) resulting in a total of 43
county groups. A single county group was selected from each of the 16 partitioned NOPUS PSUs using
probability-proportional-to-size sampling with the population of children under 5 based on the 2000
Census as a measure of size. The selected 16 county groups form the sampled PSUs of the NSUBS.
The site sampling frame consists of gas stations, recreation centers, day care centers, and restaurants in
five fast food chains in the 16 sampled NSUBS PSUs. These four site types make four strata. The 2009
NSUBS selected 674 sites using stratified systematic sampling from the above sampling frame.

Sample Size
Due to the nature of the survey, the NSUBS data collectors have to obtain cooperation from the sample
sites. Cooperation with recreation centers and day care centers is obtained in advance by visiting these
sites via sending letters requesting cooperation followed by phone calls to secure cooperation. For fast
food restaurants and gas stations, trained data collectors approach each establishment in person to secure
cooperation.
For the 2009 NSUBS, a total of 433 sites of the 674 sampled sites gave permission for the survey to be
conducted on their premises. The cooperation rate was 64 percent. Of these 433 data collection sites, 192
were gas stations, 141 fast food restaurants, 55 day care centers, and 45 recreation centers.
Table 11 shows the observed sample size of the 2009 NSUBS. A total of 17,793 occupants were
observed in the 6,033 vehicles at the 433 data collection sites. Of these observed occupants, 9,471 were
children12 and under. The data on 7,284 children12 and under were obtained by interviews with adult
occupants who were traveling together with those children.

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis

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Table 11: Sites, Vehicles, Occupants, and Children 12 and Under in NSUBS

Numbers of

2008

2009

Percentage Change

Data Collection Sites

441

433

-2%

Vehicles Observed

6,204

6,033

-3%

Occupants Observed

18,074

17,793

-2%

Children 12 and Under Observed

9,695

9,471

-2%

Children 12 and Under Interviewed*

7,632

7,284

-5%

* Data obtained by interview with an adult occupant.

Data Collection
The 2009 NSUBS data collection was conducted between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. during the period from July
17 to August 1, 2009.
Trained data collectors approach passenger vehicles appearing to have child occupants 12 and under;
observe the restraint use of up to nine occupants in the first three rows of seats; and conduct interviews
to obtain the race and ethnicity of all occupants and the heights, weights, and ages of child occupants
appearing to be 12 and under. The approximate ages of other occupants (expressed as an age range, such
as 16 to 24) and the genders of all occupants are subjectively assessed by the data collectors.
Note that the data on race/ethnicity in the NSUBS are collected in compliance with OMB standards.
NHTSA obtained approval to collect race/ethnicity data for the 2006-2009 surveys under OMB
clearance number 2127-0644. The notice of OMB review can be found in the Federal Register, Volume
71, Number 30, page 7824, February 14, 2006.
In order to capture restraint use before children unfasten the restraints, data collectors observe restraint
use prior to or just as the vehicle comes to a stop except fast food drive-through lanes. In that case,
restraint use is observed prior to the vehicle reaching the drive-through window.
In order to reach as wide an audience as possible, the NSUBS uses some Spanish-speaking data
collectors.

Estimation
Let C denote the characteristic of occupants and R denote restraint type. The NSUBS estimates the rate
of occupants restrained in restraint type R among the occupants having characteristic C by the
following formula,

Restraint Use CR =

∑w

i , j ,k

ijk

∑w

i, j,k

Fijk CRijk

ijk

Fijk C ijk

,

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26

where wijk and Fijk , respectively, denote the base weight and the product of various weight adjustment
factors at the site k in the stratum j of the PSU i . CRijk stands for the number of observed occupants
having characteristic C and restrained in restraint type R and C ijk denotes the number of observed
occupants having characteristic C at the site k in the stratum j of the PSU i . For example, the
booster seat use among 4- to 7- year- old children is estimated using the above formula, where CRijk is
the number of observed children 4 to 7 in booster seat and C ijk is the number of observed children 4 to 7
at the site k in the stratum j of the PSU i .
Note that the NSUBS site sampling frame is restricted to the four site types: gas stations, day care
centers, recreation centers, and restaurants in five fast food chains as described in the sample design subsection. Since the NSUBS uses a probability sample of these site types, the NSUBS estimates are
national representative of children who frequently visit these types of sites. For instance, 41 percent
booster seat use among 4- to 7-year-old children as shown in Figure 1 means that among children in this
age range who were taken by passenger vehicles to gas stations, day care centers, recreation centers, or
fast food restaurants in 2009, 41 percent were in booster seats.
Please note that NHTSA employs the following suppression rule for the NSUBS publications:
Use estimates whose numerator is based on fewer than five persons observed, whose denominator
is based on fewer than 30 persons observed, or that are not statistically different from 0% use (i.e.
the standard error is at least half the point estimate) are to be suppressed. These should be reported
as “NA” in publications, and any related estimates (i.e., change in use and confidence estimates)
should also be suppressed.
This same rule was used for the NOPUS survey.
Please also note that suppressed estimates do not appear in the figures throughout this report (displayed
as missing columns in the figures).

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis

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7. References
Glassbrenner, D. (2002, September). Safety Belt and Helmet Use in 2002 – Overall Results. DOT HS
809 500. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Glassbrenner, D., (2009, April) The 2006 National Survey of the Use of Booster Seats – Methodology
Report DOT HS 811 111. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Available
at http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811111.PDF.

Glassbrenner, D., & Ye, [T.] J. (2007, February). Child Restraint Use in 2006 – Overall Results.
DOT HS 810 737. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Available
at: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810737.PDF
Glassbrenner, D., & Ye, [T.] J. (2007, August). Booster Seat Use in 2006. DOT HS 810 796.
Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Available at http://wwwnrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810796.pdf.
Glassbrenner, D., & Ye, [T.] J. (2007, August). Child Restraint Use in 2006 – Demographic Results.
DOT HS 810 797. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Available at
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810797.PDF.
Glassbrenner, D., & Ye, [T.] J. (2007, August). Child Restraint Use in 2006 – Use of Correct Restraint
Types. DOT HS 810 798. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Available
at http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pubs/810798.pdf.
Glassbrenner, D., & Ye, T. J. (2008, January). Booster Seat Use in 2007. DOT HS 810 814. Washington,
DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Available at http://wwwnrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810814.PDF.

Glassbrenner, D., & Ye, T. J. (2008, January). Child Restraint Use in 2007 – Use of Correct
Restraint Types. DOT HS 810 895. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration. Available at:
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/PUBS/810895.PDF

Glassbrenner, D., & Ye, T. J. (2008, January). Seat Belt Use in 2007 – Race and Ethnicity Results
Among Occupants Traveling With Children. DOT HS 810 896. Washington, DC: National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration. Available at http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810896.PDF.
Glassbrenner, D., & Ye, T. J. (2008, January). Child Restraint Use in 2007 – Demographic Results. DOT
HS 810 897. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Available at
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810897.PDF.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2005, November). Improving the Safety of Older
Child Passengers – “4 Steps for Kids.” DOT HS 809 953. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration. Available at
http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/childps/boosterseatprogress/images/BSProgressReport.pdf.
NHTSA. (2009). Traffic Safety Facts: 2008 Data: Children. DOT HS 811 157. Washington, DC:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Available at http://wwwnrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pubs/811157.pdf
NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590

28

Office of Management and Budget. (2005, February). Update of Statistical Area Definitions and
Guidance on Their Uses. OMB BULLETIN NO. 05-02. Washington, DC: Office of Management and
Budget. Available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/bulletins_fy05_b05-02.
Pickrell, T. M., & Ye, T. J. (2009, April). Seat Belt Use in 2008 – Race and Ethnicity Results Among
Occupants Traveling With Children. DOT HS 811 107. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration. Available at http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811107.PDF.
Pickrell, T. M., & Ye, T. J. (2009, May). Booster Seat Use in 2008. DOT HS 811 121. Washington, DC:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Available at http://wwwnrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811121.pdf.
Pickrell, T. M., & Ye, T. J. (2009, May). Child Restraint Use in 2008 – Use of Correct Restraint Types.
DOT HS 811 132. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Available at
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811132.PDF.
Pickrell, T. M., & Ye, T. J. (2009, June). Child Restraint Use in 2008 – Demographic Results. DOT HS
811 148. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Available at http://wwwnrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811148.pdf.
Public Law 106-414, 106th Congress, Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and
Documentation (TREAD) Act, 114 STAT. 1800, November 1, 2000.
Public Law 107-318, 107th Congress, Anton’s Law, 114 STAT. 1800, December 4, 2002.
Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity, Federal Register
Notice, Volume 62, Number 210, pages 58781-58790, October 30, 1997.
Ye, T. J., & Pickrell, T. (2008, April). Child Restraint Use in 2007 – Overall Results, National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, DOT HS 810 931, April 2008. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration. Available at: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/PUBS/810931.PDF

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Appendix: Definitions and Categories in NSUBS

In the survey, an occupant considered to be “restrained” if the occupant meets any of the following five
definitions:
Rear-Facing Child Safety Seat - The child occupant is in a seat that sits on top of the vehicle seat in such
a way that the child faces the rear of the vehicle, and the harness straps are across the child’s front. The
harness straps might be secured or not.
Forward-Facing Child Safety Seat – The child occupant is in a seat that sits on top of the vehicle seat in
such a way that the occupant faces the front of the vehicle, and with harness straps that are across the
child’s front.
High-Backed Booster Seat - The child occupant is in a seat with a seat back that sits on top of the vehicle
seat, and has a seat belt across the front of the child’s body, whether lap or lap/shoulder. No harness is in
use.
Backless Booster Seat - The child occupant is sitting on a platform with no seat back that sits on top of
the vehicle seat, and has a seat belt across the front of the child’s body, whether lap or lap/shoulder. No
harness is in use.
Seat Belt – The occupant is sitting on the vehicle seat and the seat belt is across front of the body

(includes lap belts).

Unrestrained – All other cases.
Although the NSUBS collects children’s individual ages, heights, and weights, we combine these results
into categories in order to produce reliable estimates.
Age categories
The NSUBS uses the following age categories: 0, 1-3, 4-7, 8-12, 13-15, 16-24, 25-69, and 70 and above.
The choice of these age groups is motivated by consistency with the NOPUS survey, which uses the age
groups 0, 1-3, 4-7, 8-12, 13-15, 16-24, 25-69, and 70 and older, combined with taking into account that
the NSUBS collects interview data on children12 and under. For consistency and clarity, the terms “012,” “12 and under,” and “under 13” have been changed to “12 and under” in most places in the text,
since it is confusing to use three different terms to describe the same age cohort.
Height and weight categories
The NSUBS uses the following height categories: under 36 inches tall, 37-53 inches, 54-56 inches, and
57 inches or taller. The survey uses the weight categories 0-19 pounds, 20-40 pounds, 41-60 pounds,
and 61 pounds or heavier. These categories were chosen because they are used in NHTSA’s
recommendation for the choice of restraint use for children.
Regional categories
The 16 PSUs selected in the NSUBS constitute a probability sample of PSUs (counties and groups

thereof) in the United States. The data are not sufficient to produce state-by-state results. However

NSUBS can and does produce regional estimates using the following categories:

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1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590

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Northeast:
Midwest:
South:
West:

ME, VT, NH, MA, RI, CT, NY, PA, NJ
MI, OH, IN, IL, WI, MN, IA, MO, KS, NE, SD, ND

WV, MD, DE, VA, KY, TN, NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, AR, LA, OK, TX, DC
AK, WA, OR, CA, NV, ID, UT, AZ, NM, CO, WY, MT, HI

These definitions of the four NSUBS regions are the same regional definitions used in the NOPUS. The
NSUBS regional categories were chosen to be the same as the NOPUS categories for the purpose of
consistency.
Race and ethnicity categories
Please consult Section 3, “Demographic Results,” for the classifications of race and ethnicity in NSUBS

NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590

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September 2010