2009 RACV Child Restraint Evaluation Report - 2009 RACV CREP Report
During 2009 RACV with NRMA and the NSW Centre for Road Safety conducted their Child Restraint Evaluation Program looking into the current availability and safety of child car seats/baby car seats, These were tabled in a report and is referenced in the report. Unfortunately it appears that the new Safe-n-Sound Meridian Tilt and adjust was not included in the evaluation and should be redone to verify the results
The report is divided into 3 sections; these include:
- Rearward facing restraints for Babies - For babies up to 9kgs or 12kgs ; 70cm long, from birth to 6 months
- Forward-facing restraints for young children - For young children 8-18kgs; from 6-9 months to approximately 5 years
- Booster seats for older children - For older children 14-26kgs; until they are large enough to be safely secured by an adult seatbelt.
Results - Rearward facing restraints for Babies
Rearward facing child restraints for babies are divided into two groups, these being the dedicated rearward facing child restraints and the convertible forward facing child restraints. The difference being the convertible forward facing child restraint can be used for a longer period without the need to buys a second forward facing child restraint. The results for the rearward facing Restraints for babies revealed that five of the top 6 child restraints were Safe n Sound Child restraints.
These top six included :
- Babylove Snap n Go
- Safe-N-Sound Compaq Series 25/A/2004
- Secure Turn-A-Tot
- Safe-N-Sound Baby Safety Capsule
- Safe-N-Sound Compaq Deluxe
- IGC GoSafe Cleo
Results - Forward-facing restraints for young children
Foward facing child restraints for young children are divided into three groups, these being the dedicated Forward facing child restraints, convertible forward facing child restraints and convertible booster seats. The difference being the convertible forward facing child restraint can be used when your child needs also to be forward facing, and the convertible booster seats can be used as a booster seat later on as well as a forward facing child restraint.
The results for the Forward facing Restraints for young children revealed that four of the top 10 child restraints were Safe n Sound Child restraints, this is down from 6 in the top ten from the previous report, however the new Safe n Sound Meridian Tilt and Adjust is not included and the old meridian ahr will no longer be available for sale. So really how relevant is the report in this light.
In addition to the this the new Safe n Sound Meridian Tilt and Adjust does have larger wings providing extra protection in a side impact collision, however as noted already it was not included in the tests.
From the top ten only 1 is a dedicated forward facing Child restraint, with 3 Convertible Boosters seats in the top ten and 6 Convertible forward facing child restraints carrying over to the top 10
These top ten included :
- Hipod Senator Series 10/D/2004
- Secure Trek 8* Model CS55
- Safe-N-Sound Meridian Series 7000/M/2004
- Safe-N-Sound Explorer Series JS8/A/2004
- IGC GoSafe Cleo
- Babylove Sovereign Series F1-304
- Secure Turn-A-Tot Model CS35
- IGC GoSafe Summit
- Safe-N-Sound Compaq Deluxe
- Safe-N-Sound Discovery Plus
Results - Booster seats for older children
For Older children, there is a choice of either a dedicated Booster seat or a convertible booster seat. Once again the difference being that the convertible booster seat can be used for a longer period.
The results for the Booster seats for older children revealed that three of the top 6 child restraints were Safe n Sound Child restraints (down from four in the top six previously). with the results being split equally between a dedicated booster seat and a convertible booster seat
These top ten included :
- Infa Vario Kid Model CS 54
- Safe-N-Sound Hi-Liner with ASC
- Hipod Barcelona
- Safe-N-Sound Explorer with ASC
- Secure Travel Max
- Safe-N-Sound Hi-Liner without ASC
- Secure Trek 8
- Safe-N-Sound Explorer without ASC
- Safe-N-Sound Maxi Rider with ASC
- Hipod Senator with and without ASC
When Selecting a child restraint select the safest seat that will protect your child for the age and weight of your child, as well as taking into account the laws of your state. Note in November 2009 Victoria introduced new child restraint laws.
After you have chosen your child restraint / car seat, it is extremely important that the car seat is installed correctly; as pointed out in the 2007/2008 racv report '..approximately 70% of child restraints are not installed correctly.' A child restraint which is not fitted properly may result in serious injury or even death in the event of a crash. It is strongly recommended that new restraints are professionally fitted by a trained child restraint fitter.
Side wings on a car seat / child restraint offer more protection in the event of a crash. this is seen in the committment of safe n Sound incorporating side wings in the design of their car seats, with extra large wings on the Safe n Sound meridian tilt and adjust carseat
Further information on the RACV Child restraint evaluation program.
The 2007 RACV Child restraint evaluation PDF report.
2009 RACV Crep Report