Child Safety Restraints in Crash Test Simulator

Children have poorly developed fragile and flexible neck muscles. When a forward-facing child's heavy head is thrust forward in a crash, the child suffers an enormous amount of stress on neck. If the spinal cord stretches too far in a crash (a mere 6mm) the child may suffer paralysis or death. The young child's cervical vertebrae are not strong enough to protect the spinal cord adequately when forward-facing in a frontal crash. As an example, an average three-year-olds head weighs on average 2.7kg, which means that in an accident at only 50km/h the head weighs 270 kilos!

In the event of an impact using a rear-facing child seat the whole of the child's back takes the impact instead of only where the harness touches the body, consequently protecting the much more vulnerable neck, head and spine. The risk of serious injury or fatality has been shown to be five times less while travelling rear-facing.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Child
• Safety
• Restraints
• in
• Crash
• Test
• Simulator

[blondiekc1]

Awesome video - but perhaps you should make it clear that the booster was being MISUSED, I would hate people to think that their big kid can't be boostered, or that it's okay for a booster to be used like that.

[jaidanchaseashtoneli]

@jourdysmom Yes I'd say that's the purpose of the video :)

What a great clip! I can't wait until Australia have ERF seats. I'll be sharing this clip!

Visit us on FB @ Bring Extended Rear Facing To Australia !

[jourdysmom]

Is the booster seat intentionally misused? The lap belt should be routed in front of the arms of the booster, and the shoulder belt needs to be ON the shoulder, not under the arm... Oh, and should never be in the front seat, unless all rear seats are occupied as well. Thanks!