FUKUOKA -- Wearing seat belts in cars improperly can fatally damage the abdomen of young children in case of accidents, a survey by a Japanese public interest incorporated foundation has found.

The Tokyo-based Institute for Traffic Accent Research and Data Analysis (ITARDA) studied the causes of deaths of young people in car accidents while wearing seat belts and found that elementary school children were about three times more likely to suffer fatal abdominal injuries compared to junior high and high school students. Since one reason is attributed to the fact that children may not be able to wear seat belts in the correct position due to their body size, researchers warn that the position of the belt can be a matter of life and death.

The revised Road Traffic Act that went into force in 2000 mandates the use of baby or infant safety seats for those younger than 6. For older children, not using a child safety seat does not violate the law, but it has emerged that simply using age as a criterion may not effectively reduce the risk of fatal accidents.

ITARDA examined traffic accident records from the decade between 2013 and 2022 provided by the National Police Agency, focusing on 64 people aged between 6 and 19 who died in car accidents while wearing seat belts, and identifying which body parts sustained fatal injuries. In none of the cases, child safety seats or booster seats were used.

When comparing two groups -- elementary school children (6 to 12 years old) and those aged between 13 and 19 including junior high and high school students who are closer in size to adults -- both had the highest percentage of fatal injuries in the "head" area, accounting for around 40%. The significant difference was in the "abdomen," with only five out of 51 junior and senior high school students, or 9.8%, affected, compared to four out of 13 elementary school children, or 30.8%, more than three times higher. There was no significant difference between the age groups for injuries to the chest or neck.

Researcher Toyohiro Hishikawa, who conducted the analysis, pointed out that "not all, but some of the abdominal injuries must have been caused by the lap belt." He emphasized, "Just as you are instructed to fasten your seat belt low across your waist before a plane takes off, it's crucial to wear the lap belt correctly in a car, close to the thighs. Since seat belts may not fit properly on smaller children, even those aged 6 or over should use booster seats or other aids."

A tragic accident in Fukuoka in August 2024 highlighted the potential danger of seat belts. At around 11:10 a.m. on Aug. 18, a route bus operated by Nishi-Nippon Railroad Co. and a light passenger car collided head-on on National Route 263 in the city's Sawara Ward, resulting in the deaths of two sisters, aged 7 and 5, in the car. According to Fukuoka Prefectural Police, both were wearing seat belts but were not using child safety seats or booster seats. The cause of death for both was hemorrhagic shock, with severe internal bleeding in the abdomen, possibly due to strong compression from the seat belts.

In September 2024, the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) raised the recommended height for child safety seat use from under 140 centimeters to under 150 cm. However, height is merely a guideline, and ensuring that the seat belt does not rest on the neck or abdomen is reportedly crucial. JAF's recommended key points include positioning the shoulder belt over the hard bones of the center of collarbone, sternum and ribs, and ensuring the lap belt presses against the pelvis. A JAF representative urged adults to thoroughly check that children's seat belts are fastened correctly.

(Japanese original by Keisuke Muneoka, Kyushu News Department)