A new study released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said modern car seat designs, not parent error, is making it challenging for parents to properly install car seats many times.
According to the study, the standard LATCH system is supposed to make it easier to properly install a car seat, but the study said research is showing auto makers aren’t doing enough to help.
The study, which was a joint effort by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety along with the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute showed that only 21 percent of the 98 top-selling 2010 and 2011 model-year vehicles have a LATCH system that is easy to use.
In the tests, researchers examined LATCH hardware and looked at three factor. First researchers examined the depth the anchors were installed at. The anchors should be no lower than 3/4 of an inch in the seat and should be easy to spot.
The second factor they considered was clearance. Nothing should be in the way of the anchors and there should be enough room around them to hook the latch straight-on as well as at an angle.
The third factor researchers examined was force, or how much effort parents had to put forth to install a seat. Ideally, parents should be able to install a child restraint using 40 pounds of force or less.
2011 models that meet all 3 easy-installation criteria:
- Audi A4 QuattroCadillac Escalade
- Chevrolet Equinox LT
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew cab LT
- Chevrolet Suburban LT
- Chevrolet Tahoe LS
- Chrysler Town & Country (2010)
- Dodge Caliber Mainstreet
- Dodge Grand Caravan
- Dodge Ram 1500 crew cab
- Ford Escape XLT
- Ford F-150 SuperCrew Cab
- GMC Sierra 1500 crew cab SLE
- Honda Pilot EX-L
- Kia Sedona LX
- Land Rover Range Rover Sport
- Mercedes-Benz C300
- Mercedes-Benz E350
- Mitsubishi Eclipse coupe GS
- Mitsubishi Lancer ES
- Toyota Tacoma extended cab
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