Volvo Car Corporation

Effectiveness of Effectiveness of Belt-Positioning Booster SeatsBelt-Positioning Booster Seats

Based on Based on Volvo’s Swedish Accident DatabaseVolvo’s Swedish Accident Database

Johnny Korner

Volvo Car Corporation

Volvo Car Corporation

Volvo Accident Research Volvo Accident Research Established in 1970Established in 1970

Basis for:Basis for:Safety Safety Development DevelopmentAmendmentsAmendmentsTest MethodsTest MethodsRequirementsRequirementsPrioritiesPrioritiesEffectivenessEffectiveness Volvo's Accident Squad

Volvo Car Corporation

Volvo Accident Data Base Volvo Accident Data Base

• Volvo cars only,Volvo cars only,mostly in Swedenmostly in Sweden

• 1976 - 20001976 - 2000 28 000 crashes28 000 crashes 48 000 occupants48 000 occupants

• 200 variables: 200 variables: Crash circumst.Crash circumst. Car performanceCar performance OccupantsOccupants Medical recordsMedical records

Volvo Car Corporation

Child Accident SubsetChild Accident Subset

Adult belt49%

Unrestr22%

Booster Seat20%

RF Child Seat9%

• 878 in Booster Seat878 in Booster Seat

• 4448 children, 0 - 15 years4448 children, 0 - 15 years

• 48% girls, 52% boys48% girls, 52% boys

• 74% rear, 26% front74% rear, 26% front

• 2211 in Adult Belt Only2211 in Adult Belt Only

• 78% restrained78% restrained

Volvo Car Corporation

Booster Seat EvolutionBooster Seat Evolution

Volvo Car Corporation

Integrated Booster SeatsIntegrated Booster Seats

Volvo Car Corporation

Child Restraint Use in Volvo Child Restraint Use in Volvo Cars in Sweden 1976-2000Cars in Sweden 1976-2000

01020304050

60708090

100

76 78 80 82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98 2000

%

Seat Belt Only RF Child Seat BP Booster

Volvo Car Corporation

Injury Frequency MAIS 2+Injury Frequency MAIS 2+Volvo Cars in Sweden 1980-2000 Volvo Cars in Sweden 1980-2000

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

1980-84 1985-89 1990-94 1995-2000

%

MAIS 2 MAIS 3+

Volvo Car Corporation

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Unrestr Belt only Booster RF CRS

%

MAIS 2 MAIS 3+

Injury Frequency MAIS 2+Injury Frequency MAIS 2+by CRS by CRS

Volvo Car Corporation

Effectiveness MAIS 2+Effectiveness MAIS 2+by CRSby CRS

0

0,2

0,4

0,6

0,8

1

Unrestr Belt only Booster RF CRS

Relative Risk MAIS 2+

E = 60%

E = 78%

E = 89%

Volvo Car Corporation

Effectiveness MAIS 2+Effectiveness MAIS 2+Booster vs Belt OnlyBooster vs Belt Only

0

0,2

0,4

0,6

0,8

1

Belt only Booster

Relative Risk MAIS 2+

E = 45%

Volvo Car Corporation

Child Restraint Use in Sweden Child Restraint Use in Sweden 1990-20001990-2000

0

20

40

60

80

100

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15Age (years)

%

Seat Belt Only BP Booster RF Child Seat

Effectiveness AIS 2+ vs Belt Effectiveness AIS 2+ vs Booster

72%72%

49%

45%45%

Volvo Car Corporation

Injury Risk by Body Region and CRSInjury Risk by Body Region and CRSAIS 2+AIS 2+

00,5

11,5

22,5

Inj Risk (%)

Booster Belt Only

Volvo Car Corporation

CrashType Distribution (MAIS 2+)CrashType Distribution (MAIS 2+)(122 Children, Belt Only & Booster)(122 Children, Belt Only & Booster)

Frontal

Side

Mult Event

Roll

Rear

Other

Volvo Car Corporation

Injury Risk by Crash Type & CRSInjury Risk by Crash Type & CRS HeadHead AIS 2+AIS 2+

0

1

2

3

4

5

Inj Risk (%) Booster Belt Only

Volvo Car Corporation

0

0,5

1

1,5

2

2,5

Inj Risk (%) Booster Belt Only

Injury Risk by Crash Type & CRSInjury Risk by Crash Type & CRS AbdomenAbdomen AIS 2+AIS 2+

Volvo Car Corporation

Injury Risk at Change to Next CRSInjury Risk at Change to Next CRS(Youngest Recommended Age)(Youngest Recommended Age)

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

2-4 3-5 9-11 10-12 15Age (years)

Inju

ry R

isk

MA

IS 2

+ (

%)

RFChild Seat

Booster

Belt Only

Volvo Car Corporation

ConclusionsConclusionsBelt-Positioning Booster SeatsBelt-Positioning Booster Seats

• EffectivenessEffectiveness AIS 2+AIS 2+ vs Unrestrained: vs Unrestrained: 7878%% vs Belt Only: vs Belt Only: 4545%%

• Due to Better Belt Positioning, Boosters Reduce:Due to Better Belt Positioning, Boosters Reduce: Abdominal Injuries in Frontal Impacts, Multiple EventsAbdominal Injuries in Frontal Impacts, Multiple Events Head Injuries in Rollovers, Multiple EventsHead Injuries in Rollovers, Multiple Events Clavicle fractures in Frontal Impacts, Multiple EventsClavicle fractures in Frontal Impacts, Multiple Events

• Many Children Don’t Use the Optimal CRS for Their AgeMany Children Don’t Use the Optimal CRS for Their Age

• Injury Risk Higher at Youngest Age Recommended for the Injury Risk Higher at Youngest Age Recommended for the CRSCRS

Booster Seats Adaptable to Size of Child DesirableBooster Seats Adaptable to Size of Child Desirable

Volvo Car Corporation

Adaptable Adaptable Belt-Positioning Booster SeatBelt-Positioning Booster Seat

Volvo Safety Concept CarVolvo Safety Concept Car