Research Papers (2009 – 2013)

Abstract

To improve the protection of children travelling in cars, the misuse of child restraint systems (CRS) remains one of the critical points to address. This work analyses available data to link types of misuse with the effect on the protection of children, along with reviewing existing solutions. Four areas that give insights into misuse have been examined during the EC CASPER project: road accident field studies, experimental dummy test data, focused sociological data and an internet survey regarding CRS use. The CASPER road accident database contains in-depth data on 1300 restrained children involved in, predominantly, severe accidents, in order to measure the real effect of misuse on the road. Existing experimental test data have been complemented during CASPER with the study of new misuse configurations and other parameters such as inappropriate restraint system use or the effect of dummy posture in a frontal crash. Results have shown that the effect of misuse is not always apparent if the dummy is only equipped with its standard instrumentation. It was often necessary to analyse test videos or measurements from prototype sensors to have a clearer view of any additional injury risk. The paper presents both methodologies and results to the scientific and industrial communities that can be used to further explore misuse. A main conclusion from the sociological study and internet survey is the need to better communicate to parents and carers that children are best protected if they are using the appropriate restraint systems for every trip, used correctly.

Philippe Lesire, Franck Leopold, Alan Kirk, Marie-Christine Chevalier