5th June 2003
TOUGHER TESTS NEEDED FOR CAR SEATS
Car seats should be subject to better tests before they're sold to the public, say experts.
A series of tough crash tests were carried out on 52 child safety seats - 20 of which are for sale in the UK - by a number of European consumer and motoring groups, including the Consumers' Association and the AA Motoring Trust. Currently seats are only tested at 30mph to pass existing European legislation, but research has shown most child passengers in the UK are killed or injured outside built-up areas where the car they're in travels at more than 30mph.
The tests highlighted significant differences in the performance of seats for different ages and weights. Seats for under four year olds all performed satisfactorily, as long as they were intended to be used either rear-facing or forward-facing. Seats that could be switched around to face forwards when the child is older didn't fare well.
The UK seats that came out the worst were the Chicco Zenith (forward facing seat for one to four-year-olds), Meggy Combi, Mothercare Runner and Mothercare Dimension (booster seats for children to 12 years old). The Britax Cruiser Plus, Britax Ranger, Britax Trio and Mamas and Papas Passaggio (all booster seats) were rated as having the "bare minimum" of protection.
Andrew Howard, head of road safety at the AA Motoring Trust, said, "These tests were carried out in laboratories with the seats fitted exactly as the instructions demanded, but despite this the results were often poor, and sometimes alarming. But there's no doubt that in real life things would be even worse, as many of the seats proved difficult to fit. Busy parents won't always take enough time to attach the seat properly to the car if it isn't simple and straightforward to do."
Helen Parker, editor of Which? added, "The car seat industry has a long way to go. Which? is working together with consumer groups across Europe and motoring organisations such as the AA to guide people towards the safest seats."
To give your child maximum protection, the AA Motoring Trust say it's important to:
- Ensure that the seat fits properly into the model and make of car before you buy
- Ensure the seat is fitted properly, even if it takes time
- Keep children in seats with built-in harnesses for as long as possible
- Share your thoughts on car seat safety, in our Your Shout discussion forum
- Take a look at our guide to car safety
- Having problems fitting a car seat? Find out where to get help
- Chat to other parents on the New parents board
- View the car seat test results