During crash sled tests in 1993, some of the new child restraint systems (CRS's) sold in Australia did not appear to offer the same levels of protection as the existing products in the marketplace. There has also been a significant increase in the number of consumer complaints made to the Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW (RTA) and the NRMA Ltd about CRS/motor vehicle compatibility, difficult installations and usage problems. As a result the RTA, the NRMA Ltd and the Australian Consumers' Association (ACA) conducted the first stage of an ongoing joint program to provide consumers with information which will enable them to make an informed choice when purchasing a CRS. The aim is to encourage market forces to bring about consumer driven improvements to CRS design. CRS's were examined for their: performance in crash tests which were more rigorous than the Australian Standards tests; ease of installation and ease of use; compatibility with a representative range of popular motor vehicles. (Author/publisher) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E207978.
Samenvatting