twinsmom
New member
I just read this yesterday...I swear I want my kids in boosters forever.... waaaah http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/nrd-01/esv/esv19/05-0258-O.pdf
This study was mentioned by Joolsplus3 in another thread. It seems to have interesting info in relation to boosters w/without LATCH and tethers. I've read in other places that latch/tethers in booster may help with side-impact, but this study seems to imply that they may help with frontal impact as well:
"The results of this study, though still preliminary, suggest that protection, specifically of the chest, may be enhanced if the booster seat is anchored to the vehicle seat, as one would attach a CSR. Use of the LATCH and tether produces a more effective coupling than typically produced by the vehicle's lap/shoulder belt."
The data about the 5-pt harness for 4-6 yr olds vs. booster was also interesting though didn't seem conclusive.:
"Restraining the dummy in a CSR rated to the appropriate weight limit may be a viable option for children between the ages of four and six. The chest is restrained by a 5-pt harness, which distributes the loads well and effectively couples both the upper and lower torso of the dummy to the vehicle. Though the neck loads remained elevated, the level of injury risk that may be associated with these values is not known and further investigation, through accident reconstruction is needed to validate the biofidelity of the dummy neck........the stiffness of the dummy spine contributed to high neck forces and moments that were not representative of the injury potential." I thought this was interesting in relation to the Swedish studies about neck loads in FF 5-pt harnesses.
Anyway, if this info is already well known, sorry! It was new to me!