Grant: CIHR Fellowship

Road traffic crashes are an important cause of deaths for children in the world, especially in low- and middle-income countries, which accounts for more than 90% of road traffic fatalities. This situation has triggered a global response led by international organizations, such as the World Health Organization, providing guidance to developing countries. These responses include primary prevention targeting behaviors associated with increased fatalities in the general population (e.g., impaired driving) and secondary prevention, aimed at subgroups most at-risk, including children (e.g., child restraint legislation [CRL]). While several low- and middle-income countries have introduced CRL into their policy framework, there are important differences among regulations in the world, ranging from no restraint to restraints up to 12 years old with different weight and height requirements. The main objective of the proposed research project is to provide insights into differences in child traffic fatality rates between low-, middle- and high-income countries, by considering the impact of CRL in 182 countries for the period 1990-2013. This research will inform international organizations, such as the World Health Organization and the World Bank, which specific children's age, weight and height characteristics are the most appropriate ones when promoting this policy. This research is particularly relevant to Canada, since age, weight and height requirements of CRL are not uniformed across its provinces and territories.