DYNAMIC TESTING OF INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO CHILD OCCUPANT PROTECTION PROBLEMS

The report brings together the results of two years of research into the effectiveness of innovative, unconventional, and/or misused child occupant protection systems. Concepts studied and discussed include child restraint securement practices, child restraint orientation relative to the vehicle and the crash, upper torso restraint, and neck and abdominal injury potential. Conclusions and recommendtions deal with the dangerous consequences of some installation errors, the performance of seatlbelt retractors and tightening devices, CR installation in vans and station wagons, the extended use of rear-facing restraints, the availability and fit of upper torso restraint for children, and the need for further research to guard against possible neck and abdominal injury.