Kids' auto crash safety lags

[Joolsplus2]

Thought you all might be interested in this, from a general-knowledge perspective...
http://www.detnews.com/2004/autosinsider/0408/08/a01-235231.htm


Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[mharling]

Thanks Julie.

I'd be interested in your perspective on this paragraph, given the discussion here about LATCH vs. seatbelt installations:

"Ford Motor Co. auto safety director James Vondale told NHTSA that Ford supported the agency’s efforts to improve side-impact performance of child restraints, but said the company would only support testing of new child seats attached to cars with the rigid latch system and tether attachments instead of seat belts because of their potential to be more protective."

Mary
Lane 4/03
#2 Due 3/2/05
http://lilypie.com/days/050302/0/0/1/-6/.png

[Joolsplus2]

I found that interesting, too, Mary, since another of Ford's engineers, Paul Butler, has said with great conviction that the rigid LATCH is by far the safest option. Let me see if I can find that post at CPSPList at groups.yahoo.com and also I'll post more if anyone on that list comments on this article.

Wow, I found the original... I can't believe it's so old, I thought it was more recent. Anyway, there are some other comments on the thread, as well, that I'll go read after I post this, and if you have any more questions, I'll see what I can come up with.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/CPSPList/message/1016


Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

EDIT:
If you don't have a yahoo ID, here's what he said:
"I feel that I have to chime in on this subject because I disagree with the party
line that LATCH is just intended to improve convenience and reduce misuse, and
its OK to just use the belts if using LATCH isn't convenient. It would be nice
to be able to tell customers that their children can get the same protection
using either attachment system, and that there is no need to install the CRS in
a seat equipped with LATCH anchors. But I can't support that position because
of test results that I've seen. Ford has run a lot of tests of child seats
installed with LATCH anchors and installed with seat belts, and I see a
consistent and substantial improvement in performance using LATCH anchors and
attachments compared with belt installation, even when both tests used snug
tether straps.

I have also examined NHTSA's NCAP CRS tests. Those tests did not show a
consistent or substantial difference between belts and LATCH installations. But
the child seats in those tests were installed very tightly, with less than 1/8
inch of lateral movement at the belt path under a 50 pound lateral pull. We can
install child seats that tightly, but very few parents consistently install
child seats that tightly. Ford tests child seats using more typical belt
tightness.

The difference between LATCH and belt installation may be even more important in
side impacts, especially with some child seats. Child seats with rigid
attachments (like the Britax Expressway ISOFIX) or with two separate straps and
adjusters (like the Fisher-Price Safe Embrace II) are more stable in side
crashes than child seats installed with lap belts or with a single LATCH belt
and single adjuster (like the Cosco TRIAD or the retrofit LATCH kits). GM
market studies several years ago showed a strong customer preference for dual
straps and adjusters because it is much easier to get a tight fit with dual
straps and adjusters, but many child seats use the single strap and adjuster
LATCH attachment system.

I think the decision about what to recommend if the LATCH system doesn't provide
a tight installation is a difficult one. If the belt and tether installation is
very tight, as in the NCAP tests, it is probably just fine. Personally, if I
couldn't get a tight fit with LATCH, I would get a child seat that did provide a
tight fit using LATCH anchors.

Regards,
Paul W. Butler - Ford Advanced Safety & Regulations, 400 Fairlane Plaza South"