This paper describes eleven case investigations of the severe to fatal (Abbreviated Injury Scale 4 to 6) injuries sustained by yound children (two weeks to 2 years) in FMVSS 213 certified child seats, during foreseeable accidents and circumstances, in some detail. The paper uses the analytical protocol reported in the 1989 Society of Automotive Engineers "Live Subject Safety Research Side Impact" paper. Head injuries to the involved infants and children were duplicated. The injury reduction effects of simple and inexpensive child seat modifications were demonstrated. The conclusions are as follows: the forces to a child's head through child seat head surfaces are not limited when contacting an intruding vehicle interior, although such energy absorption protection could be provided at little additional cost. Child seats designed for infants "up to 20 pounds" are not safe for newborn infants. (A)
Samenvatting