Considering head excursion

tl01

New member
Okay, so I haven't really worried that much about how much space was available for my child's head in a crash before. Mostly, this is because we have always driven pretty big cars. Now, one of our cars is not quite as big so with the help some people here on the board, I've measured our car to see if it has a reasonable amount of space for head excursion in a crash. I'm curious how may people have measured this space in the car before. I'm not asking in order to point fingers if you haven't, but even as a tech, there was no training about how to measure if there's an appropriate amount of space for head excursion. Also, for many people, there may not be a way around a seat install that doesn't have enough space and obviously a seat is better than no seat.

As a tech, would you speak with the parents about putting the FFing child where there is more head excursion room if the current position doesn't afford much room?
 
ADS

Pixels

New member
If I can see a better option (usually the center, for an only child) then I'll mention it while we/the parent is choosing which seating position.
 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
Ditto. Also, if there is like NO head excursion room and the child fits rear-facing in the seat, and the seat would fit rear-facing in that spot/vehicle, I'll mention that as an option.
 

canadiangie

New member
Yes.

As recent as last weekend. Working with family who had their 18m/o FF outboard driver in an older Ram extended cab (not quad/crew cab). Rear facing was not on the table, for a few reasons, that I won't go into. Anyway, I strongly encouraged them to have the aftermarket TA moved to the centre seating position. The child had very very little HE room behind the driver.

I keep what I say on the simple side, but I do not treat parents like idiots. For the most part they have no idea how far forward their child's head is going to move. Explaining the importance of adequate HE room just seems like the right thing to do. It also helps parents think twice about over reclining their own vehicle seat (a safety risk all on it's own), and strapping things like DVD screens to the backs of the front head restraints.
 

Carrie_R

Ambassador - CPS Technician
I posted this thread last week, I think, asking about HE in my vehicle... so it must be in the water. It has some interesting info, including about why they measure from the point several inches behind the seat bight. Thankfully I'm able to arrange my vehicle in a way that I consider to be ok, HE-wise, but it still looks awfully close to me.
 

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