NHTSA Proposes Side Impact Test for Child Seats

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has proposed the first-ever side impact test for car seats designed for children that weigh as much as 40 pounds.

NHTSA estimates that upgrading current child seat standards would cost manufacturers less than $4 million about 50 cents per seat per year and prevent five deaths and 64 injuries annually.

The proposed sled test would simulate the performance of a child seat inside a small car traveling at 15 mph that is struck broadside by another car traveling at 30 mph. The tests would be conducted using dummies representing children who are 12 months and 3 years old. Compliance would mean reducing crash forces transmitted to the child's head and chest and shielding the child's head from an intruding vehicle door.

In November 2000 Congress ordered NHTSA to consider creating such a regulation. The agency has been struggling with the question since it began testing child safety seats in 2003.

Acting NHTSA Administrator David Friedman tells reporters that many child seats already meet the proposed standard. Others will need stronger side wings and/or additional side padding to comply.

The next step in adopting the crash test will be 90 days of public comment. The regulation would take effect three years after NHTSA finalizes it.