News from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) might mean fewer child deaths in car accidents in the near future. Learn about the plans being announced and how they can help reduce fatal car accidents. If you have lost a loved one in any type of vehicle accident, contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
A New Child Crash Test Dummy
The first big change is the introduction of a new child crash test dummy that is designed to better test child restraint systems. They are calling the dummy Q3 and it is made to represent a child who is three years old, and it will be used primarily to test side-impact crashes. This dummy is quite advanced and will offer much more realistic data compared to previous options. Thanks to the final ruling on the new crash test dummy, the NHTSA can use it to assess how safe child seats are in side crashes.
Upgrades to Child Restraint Systems Testing
The NHTSA is also proposing that several upgrades are made to the Federal Motor Safety Vehicle Standard (FMVSS) Number 213 Frontal Impact Tests for Child Restraint Systems. The first goal is to make the tests more similar to the way child seats are actually used in real life. For example, they are proposing that labels be added to child seats that detail why young children should stay in rear-facing seats until they outgrow the seat limits and/or height limits.
They are also looking for feedback on offering flexible child seat labeling requirements designed to improve public information on how child restraint systems should be used. For example, they want to add additional ways for parents and others who transport children to register child seats and get recall information.
Changes Are Also on the Way for the Way Child Seats Are Listed
The NHTSA has an Appendix to the above-described FMVSS that includes a list of all child restraint systems and information on their crash test ratings. However, this list has not been updated since 2008. While new additions have been added since then, they have not removed older entries. As a result, models that are no longer in use are bloating the list, making it much longer and harder to get through than is necessary.
Hopefully, these changes can make a difference in how safe our kids are on the road. If you have already been involved in a tragic accident, contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas now at 909-982-0707 to request a free legal consultation.
