Recent accident research studies confirm on larger samples the specific vulnerable points of children: (1) at the neck level for the youngest; and (2) at the abdominal level for those who, below age 10-12, use the adult seat belt. Technical solutions are available: "rearward-facing" seats for the youngest, and boosters cushions above age 3 or 4. Dynamic test procedures encounter serious limitations due to design shortcomings of child dummies, and the scant data available to determine protection criteria. A considerable research effort is needed, including research on lateral impacts. Children differ from adults not only by their size and speed of evolution. At least until puberty, their structure includes a great many features which means they cannot be reduced to a model of the adult. These features must be taken into account in designing protection systems. (A)
Samenvatting