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05/06/2003
Report finds many child car seats inadequate in severe crash
A report commissioned by European consumer groups has found that many car seats are inadequate to deal with a serious car crash, as the statutory EU tests are not sufficiently rigorous.
In a test of 20 child car seats, the consumer group report revealed that only a few were deemed good enough to be recommended as adequate in a 40mph crash.
All seats sold in the UK must meet the European safety standard but according to Which? the standard is inadequate, largely because it is unrepresentative of conditions in a serious crash. Carrying out its own tests in partnership with European consumer organisations and motoring clubs, including The AA Motoring Trust, Which? said the results “highlighted weaknesses that wouldn't show up in standard tests that were used to certify seats as safe for sale”.
Despite the seats’ failings, Which? advised that using any child seat is better than using none. The safest seats were found to be those costing around £80 to £90.
Helen Parker, editor of Which?, said: "The car seat industry has a long way to go. We're working together with consumer groups across Europe and car clubs such as the AA to guide people towards the safest seats.
“Over the years we've successfully influenced the development of car safety through a similar approach, with EuroNCAP crash tests. Our aim now is to transform the safety of child car seats in the same way."
Introduced in 1998, the current ECE44-03 standard means that seats are not as strong as they could be said the report, and Which? recommended that any car seat not bearing this mark should be replaced with one that does.
Andrew Howard, head of road safety from The AA Motoring Trust, said: "Knowing that child restraints have met meaningful standards is important for consumers, but so is making sure that child restraints that people intend to buy actually fit properly into the cars they are going to be used in.
“Parents must check this before spending their money, as poor fitting can undo all the benefits of good seat design. There is still much that the makers of cars and child seats can do, particularly in developing the ISOfix universal fitting."
Researchers found that the fitting of seats was complicated by the fact that many only fitted particular cars, and that many car manufacturers approved only specific seats.
The latest ISOfix standard is designed so that seats can be simply clicked into place and reduces the potential for incorrect seat fitting. But few ISOfix seats are available and both car and seat manufacturers have been criticised for being slow to support the fitting system.
(SP)
In a test of 20 child car seats, the consumer group report revealed that only a few were deemed good enough to be recommended as adequate in a 40mph crash.
All seats sold in the UK must meet the European safety standard but according to Which? the standard is inadequate, largely because it is unrepresentative of conditions in a serious crash. Carrying out its own tests in partnership with European consumer organisations and motoring clubs, including The AA Motoring Trust, Which? said the results “highlighted weaknesses that wouldn't show up in standard tests that were used to certify seats as safe for sale”.
Despite the seats’ failings, Which? advised that using any child seat is better than using none. The safest seats were found to be those costing around £80 to £90.
Helen Parker, editor of Which?, said: "The car seat industry has a long way to go. We're working together with consumer groups across Europe and car clubs such as the AA to guide people towards the safest seats.
“Over the years we've successfully influenced the development of car safety through a similar approach, with EuroNCAP crash tests. Our aim now is to transform the safety of child car seats in the same way."
Introduced in 1998, the current ECE44-03 standard means that seats are not as strong as they could be said the report, and Which? recommended that any car seat not bearing this mark should be replaced with one that does.
Andrew Howard, head of road safety from The AA Motoring Trust, said: "Knowing that child restraints have met meaningful standards is important for consumers, but so is making sure that child restraints that people intend to buy actually fit properly into the cars they are going to be used in.
“Parents must check this before spending their money, as poor fitting can undo all the benefits of good seat design. There is still much that the makers of cars and child seats can do, particularly in developing the ISOfix universal fitting."
Researchers found that the fitting of seats was complicated by the fact that many only fitted particular cars, and that many car manufacturers approved only specific seats.
The latest ISOfix standard is designed so that seats can be simply clicked into place and reduces the potential for incorrect seat fitting. But few ISOfix seats are available and both car and seat manufacturers have been criticised for being slow to support the fitting system.
(SP)
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20 June 2012
Undercover Research Finds Retailers Failing On Children's Car Seats
Newly published research has found that parents seeking advice on which children's car seat to buy are being failed by retailers giving out misleading information, and installing seats incorrectly.
Undercover Research Finds Retailers Failing On Children's Car Seats
Newly published research has found that parents seeking advice on which children's car seat to buy are being failed by retailers giving out misleading information, and installing seats incorrectly.
02 June 2005
‘Inadequate’ child car seats criticised
Consumer watchdog Which? has warned that ten inferior child car seats, which it tested two years ago, are still on sale. Which? said that three of the products are manufactured by Mamas and Papas – the Navetta Carry Cot, the Elan and the Passaggio – while Britax manufactures three others – the Cruiser Plus, Ranger and Trio.
‘Inadequate’ child car seats criticised
Consumer watchdog Which? has warned that ten inferior child car seats, which it tested two years ago, are still on sale. Which? said that three of the products are manufactured by Mamas and Papas – the Navetta Carry Cot, the Elan and the Passaggio – while Britax manufactures three others – the Cruiser Plus, Ranger and Trio.
14 April 2004
Lack of proper car seats puts children at risk, DfT
Thousands of children are being put in unnecessary danger as many parents are still not using the appropriate car seats, new research from the Department for Transport (DfT) has found.
Lack of proper car seats puts children at risk, DfT
Thousands of children are being put in unnecessary danger as many parents are still not using the appropriate car seats, new research from the Department for Transport (DfT) has found.
08 December 2006
Concern over infants left to sleep in car seats
Young infants should not be left unattended to sleep in standard car safety seats as they may experience difficulty breathing. Problems arise when an infant's head falls forward restricting the air supply as their reflexes may not be sufficiently well developed to move their head to a more comfortable position to ease breathing.
Concern over infants left to sleep in car seats
Young infants should not be left unattended to sleep in standard car safety seats as they may experience difficulty breathing. Problems arise when an infant's head falls forward restricting the air supply as their reflexes may not be sufficiently well developed to move their head to a more comfortable position to ease breathing.
18 September 2006
New laws on child car seats comes into force
New laws requiring more children to use child car restraints have come into force today. Under the new legislation, children aged under 12 who also measure less than 135cm - 4ft 5in - will have to use the right child restraint when travelling in cars, vans and good vehicles.
New laws on child car seats comes into force
New laws requiring more children to use child car restraints have come into force today. Under the new legislation, children aged under 12 who also measure less than 135cm - 4ft 5in - will have to use the right child restraint when travelling in cars, vans and good vehicles.
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