Whats New in Child Passenger Safety

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Whats New in Child Passenger Safety?

• Booster Seats Other Child Restraint Systems

Erin Eaton, CPS Specialist Drive Smart
Kentucky! 1-888-374-8768 or 502-564-1438 http//dr
ivesmart.ky.gov
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National Statistics

• Less than one out of every five kids between ages
  four and eight is riding in a booster seat
• U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta
  states that is a sign of failure and is
  unacceptable.
• Booster seat use reduces injury by 59

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Booster Seat Laws

• A new federal initiative will provide 25 million
  over the next four years to states that pass and
  enforce new or tougher booster seat laws
• Currently, 34 states and the District of Columbia
  have booster laws, leaving 16 that do not

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NHTSA National Objective

• Increase booster seat use among four-eight year
  old children through
• Public-Private partnerships
• Strong Laws
• Active Law Enforcement
• Effective Public Education

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Antons Law

• Signed in 2002 by President Bush after 4-year
  old Anton Skeen
• Expands booster seat testing to cover children
  over 50 lbs.
• Requires automakers to install 3-point lap and
  shoulder belts in center rear seat
• Evaluation of integrated child safety systems

Autumn Skeen believes her sons life could have
been saved had he been riding in a booster seat
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Drive Smarts CPS Goals

• Reach out to families of 4 10 year olds to
  increase booster seat use
• Prepare community for future laws
• Hold 5 Step Booster seat events throughout the
  state
• Continue February Child Passenger Safety MONTH

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Height Concerns

• An adult seat belt does not fit properly until a
  person is 49

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Incorrect Positioning
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6-year old during a 35 mph crash
Incorrect position of adult lap-shoulder belt
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Incorrect Positioning(misuse of shoulder belt)
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6-year old during a 35 mph crash
Shoulder belt behind the back
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Correct Position Fit

• The belt crosses the shoulder between the neck
  and arm
• The lap belt sits as low as possible, touching
  the thighs

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6-year old during a 35 mph crash
Properly Restrained in a Belt Positioning Booster
Seat
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Booster Seat Challenges

• Lack of information among parents or caregivers
• How boosters work
• Safety benefits of boosters
• Young children want to be grown up and not sit
  in a child restraint system
• Inconsistency in state laws or no law at all

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5-Step Test

• Does the child sit all the way back against the
  auto seat?
• Do the childs knees bend comfortably at the edge
  of the auto seat?
• Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck
  and arm?
• Is the lap belt as low a possible, touching the
  thighs?
• Can the child stay seated like this for the whole
  trip?

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New Improved Boosters

• Many boosters have extended the weight and height
  ranges to accommodate children from 80 to 100
  pounds and up to 47
• New designs have improved side-impact protection
  with deeper side-wings and energy-absorbent foam

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Boosters with High-Weight Limits Adjustable
Head Rests

• Graco Turbo Booster Safe Seat
• Evenflo Big Kid
• Dorel Protek

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New Improved Forward-facing Restraints

• Several manufacturers are now making
  forward-facing seats with a high-weight harness
  system
• Most harnesses go to 65 pounds and some go to 80
  pounds

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FF Restraints with High-Weight Harnesses

• Convertible
• Britax Boulevard Decathlon (RF 5 33 lbs., FF
  to 65 lbs.)
• Sunshine Kids Radian (RF to 33 lbs., FF to 65
  lbs.)
• Forward facing
• Britax Regent (FF from 1 year and 22 - 80 lbs.)
• IMMI SafeGuard (FF from 1 year to 65 lbs.)
• Combination
• Dorel Safety 1st Apex 65 (HWH 20 65 lbs., BPB
  30 - 100 lbs.)
• Team-Tex America Legend SP (HWH 22 - 65 lbs., BPB
  30 100 lbs.)

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New Improved Rear-Facing Restraints

• Now offered by some manufacturers with a 4-pound
  minimum weight limit, rather than the usual
  5-pounds
• These accommodate children from 4 22 pounds and
  have small-dimension harnesses

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Minimum Weight Below 5-lbs.

• Britax Companion and Baby Safe
• Chicco Key Fit
• Compass I-400 LP
• Graco Assura
• NOTE Snug Ride and Comfort-Sport has increased
  the lower weight limit from birth to 5-pounds

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Read the Manuals!

• NEVER touch a seat until you have referenced both
  the Child Restraint Instruction Manual and the
  Vehicle Owners Manual (if available)

Owners al
CRS Instructions
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For more information

• Erin Eaton
• CPS Specialist
• KY Transportation Cabinet
• Division of Driver Safety
• 200 Mero Street
• Frankfort, KY 40622
• erin.eaton_at_ky.gov
• http//drivesmart.ky.gov