The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently updated child safety seat testing requirements. The new rule is intended to improve protection during side-impact crashes.
Safety advocates have been calling for this rule for several years. Prior to this change, child safety seats only needed to be proven effective in tests that simulated front impact crashes at 30 miles per hour. The new requirement adds a 30-mph side impact test.
Side-Impact Collisions
In 2020, CBS News and ProPublica reported that some of the booster seats that were given a passing grade by NHTSA were not safe due to lack of side-impact testing. In fact, until now there was no US standard for side-impact testing for any child restraint system.
This is a serious issue, because side-impact collisions are particularly dangerous for children. Children’s heads and necks are extremely vulnerable to injury during a side-impact crash. The car door can be pushed into the child, causing injury. Even the side airbags can cause problems since they aren’t positioned to protect a child passenger.
Child Restraint System Changes
Manufacturers have three years to comply with the new rule once it’s officially published. The child restraint systems included are meant for children weighing up to 40 pounds and measuring up to 43.3 inches tall. Previous NHTSA regulations stated that children over 30 pounds could use simple booster seats.
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact the Schuerman Law office today. Schuerman Law has been working with personal injury claims for over 40 years. John Schuerman will compassionately advocate for injured individuals as well as their families while fighting for full compensation of their claims. Schuerman Law offers evening and weekend appointments in addition to home and hospital visits. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 1-800-274-0045.
