An in-depth crash investigation team followed up 131 crashes involving 247 children aged 14 or under as passengers. The research question was whether overall system efficiency could be improved by detecting deficiencies in the effectiveness of individual restraints, and identifying ways to counter them. The sample was composed of three groups: children attending emergency departments (whether injured or not), fatally injured children from anywhere in the state, and children riding in cars in which any adults were killed. Data were obtained from examination of crashed vehicles, interviews with parents and drivers, police data, and hospital records. It was concluded that the main sources of injury for restrained children were intrusion of the carts structure, contacts with the carts interiors, and invasion of the child's space by flying glass and seat-back collapse. Most injuries were minor, to the head and face. Many restrained children survived very high-speed crashes without injury to the neck or other parts, with deceleration injuries confined to bruising from belt loadings. Misuse, although uncommon, was responsible for some serious injuries. The main objective for restraint design continues to be protection of the head and face. (a) Sponsored by Motor Accidents Authority NSW.
Abstract