NHTSA to Improve Child Safety Seat Testing Standards

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently issued a press release about the final rule being issued to improve child safety seat testing standards, especially where side impact protection is concerned. The final rule updates testing requirements for child safety seats to children during side-impact crashes and is a large advance in protecting children from serious injury in different types of crashes.  

This rule amends Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213, “Child Restraint Systems,” by adding side impact performance requirements for child safety seats. Prior to this rule, the standard required child seats to meet minimum performance criteria in a test simulating 30-mile-per-hour front impact. Under the new rule, data will be included for side-impact testing replicating a 30-mile-per-hour T-bone style crash.  

Simulating a T-Bone Style Crash With a Car Seat and Small Crash Dummy  

The testing will be conducted with a sliding vehicle seat mounted on rails, known as a sled, and a vehicle door mounted on the sled to resemble the vehicle and simulate what happens to a child and child seat in a T-bone crash. In addition to testing using the traditional CRABI 12-month-old child test dummy, they also have the newly developed Q3s side impact test dummy, which represents a three-year-old child.  

Safety advocates are hoping this new rule will help to increase safety for children in roadway crashes across the nation. Parents will also be able to research potential car seats for their children based on additional crash-testing data. The more research and data we have on protective devices like car seats, the better and safer roadways will be for the smallest and youngest passenger vehicle occupants.  

Car Accidents in San Diego  

After any kind of car accident involving a dangerous driver, it’s a good idea to speak with a Personal Injury lawyer. A lawyer can fight to get you the compensation you deserve to pay for medical bills and other expenses associated with your injuries.  

If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a car accident caused by a dangerous or distracted driver in San Diego or anywhere in Southern California, contact the skilled and proven team at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, Inc. at 1.800.GO.HARRIS for a free case consultation today.