The compulsory use of child restraint systems (CRS) in cars has resulted in an increase in the restraint rate and a decrease in the number of fatally injured children in Germany. But even today, about 54% of the children aged 6 - 11 years are only restrained by a lap belt or 3-point belt. The German Insurance Association (GDV) instituted an in-depth study of 593 restrained children (0-11 years) based on real-life accidents to determine what influence the type of restraint as well as the kind of impact would have on injuries. Irrespective of the type of restraint, there is a far greater danger that children will be injured in side collisions than in head-on collisions. Children who have been restrained solely by a 3-point belt or lap belt more frequently suffer injury than those restrained in a CRS; not only the frequency of injury, but also the severity of injury is significantly higher. There are indications that point to differences in the degree of protection afforded by different types of CRS. Compared with forward-facing impact shields and 3-point belt child seat systems, forward-facing harness belt systems show a trend on the whole to greater severity of injury in children. Severe/critical injuries have also been found in rearward-facing infant carriers (ECE Group 0) that were restricted solely to the head area. In the future, this result must be considered to a greater extent. (A)
Abstract