Air Bags and Infants - The Need for Air Bags and Infants - The Need for Placing Rear-Facing Infants in the Placing Rear-Facing Infants in the Back Seat Brings About Accident-Back Seat Brings About Accident-

Causing DistractionsCausing Distractions

Dan Goor - XSCI, Inc.

Sheldon Lee Stucki - SEIS, Inc.

March 5, 2001

Current Air Bag Crash EnvironmentCurrent Air Bag Crash Environment

Overall, air bags are effective in saving lives.As of 4/1/2000 about 5,000 lives (NHTSA)

Certain occupants may be “at risk” when too close to deploying air bag

Recent air bags with de-powering, dual stage inflation, etc., have reduced the problem

Occupants Most “At Risk” Occupants Most “At Risk” from Air Bagsfrom Air Bags

Small drivers with seat positioned near air bag module.

Unbelted child passengers sitting near the air bag and/or with pre-crash events.

Infants in rear-facing CSS’s placed near or against the air bag, due to configuration.

Air Bags and Infants in Rear-Facing Air Bags and Infants in Rear-Facing Child Seats (RFCSS)Child Seats (RFCSS)

18 infants in RFCSS’s killed by air bags, projected 15 killed annually with 98 fleet.

Even “low” inflation air bags may be hazardous to infants in RFCSS’s

Back seat safest but parents still place infants in front seat with air bags despite warnings.

Reasons Parents Place Infants in the Reasons Parents Place Infants in the Front Seat - Front Seat - Fraser Group StudyFraser Group Study

59% felt that infants in RFCSS’s in the back seat are very distracting and 31% somewhat distracting.

69% felt that it was much easier to care for infants in RFCSS’s in the front seat and 25% somewhat easier.

Reasons Parents Place Infants in the Reasons Parents Place Infants in the Front Seat - Front Seat - Fraser Group StudyFraser Group Study

79.5% felt that infants in RFCSS’s in the back seat could be distracting enough to cause crashes.

83% felt that infants in RFCSS’s in the front seat are less apt to cause accidents than infants in RFCSS’s in the back seat.

Development of an “Air Bag Safe” Development of an “Air Bag Safe” RFCSSRFCSS

Current RFCSS’s unable to withstand air bag deployment forces and protect infant.

New design incorporates structural rigidity, energy absorption & geometry improvements to withstand forces of air bag deployment and protect the infant.

Benefits of Using “Air Bag Safe” Benefits of Using “Air Bag Safe” RFCSS in Front SeatRFCSS in Front Seat

Reduce/eliminate fatalities from deploying air bags.

Reduce crashes/injuries/fatalities by removing rear seat distractions.

Provide further protection to infants in all crashes

Estimate Benefits of Using “Air Bag Estimate Benefits of Using “Air Bag Safe” RFCSS in Front SeatSafe” RFCSS in Front Seat

Estimate % crashes caused by distraction to driver by infants in RFCSS’s in rear seat.

Estimate current injuries/fatalities reduced by moving infants to front seat.

Adjust injury/fatality savings by applying higher risk for moving to front seat.

Infants in Child Safety Seats by Infants in Child Safety Seats by Location and Environment Location and Environment

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Occ

upan

cy %

On-Road In Crashes

Environment

Front Seat Rear Seat“On-Road” - 19 City Study, 1990-1991

“In Crashes” – 1990-1991 NASS GES

Benefits of Removing Rear Seat Benefits of Removing Rear Seat DistractionsDistractions

Crash involvement rate per on road vehicle 33 % lower for infants in the front seat compared to rear seat.

Assume that injuries and fatalities are reduced by the same 33 % if infants are in front seat.

Benefits of Moving Rear Seat Benefits of Moving Rear Seat Infants to Front SeatInfants to Front Seat

Incapacitating

Injuries Fatalities

I. Front Seat – 98 Base 291 15

II. Rear Seat – 98 Base 675 38

Reduction to Front Seat

(33% X Row II)

223 13

Benefits of Moving Rear Seat Benefits of Moving Rear Seat Infants to Front SeatInfants to Front Seat

Incapacitating

Injuries Fatalities

I. Moved to Front Seat 675 38

II. Adjust for Increase Risk Front (8.3% X Row I)

56 3

III. Reduction to Front Seat 223 13

Reduction (III - II) 167 9

Benefits for Other Occupants Benefits for Other Occupants (Front Seat Only)(Front Seat Only)

Incapacitating

Injuries Fatalities

I. Front Seat – 98 Base 1347 87

Reduction Front Occupants (33% X Row I)

445 29

ConclusionsConclusions

Infants in RFCSS’s are still “at risk” from air bag deployment.

A new design for a RFCSS will provide protection with air bag deployment.

Moving infants to the front seat may reduce crashes by 33 % by removing distractions.