Cervical spine loads induced in restrained child dummies II.

Accident data seem to indicate that small children seated in forward facing restraint systems with a harness belt are at risk from serious neck injuries in moderate frontal impacts. A research has been undertaken to measure the neck loads induced in TNO-P3/4 child dummies seated in various types of restraint system. The results of the sled tests and mathematical simulations are summarized and are compared with a real accident. Based on the results of this phase of the research programme, preliminary child neck tolerance limits for shear force, tension force and bending moment are proposed. (A)