NHTSA: Statement on CR's Infant Seat Report
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NHTSA: Statement on CR's Infant Seat Report
Statement From National Highway Traffic Safety Administrator Nicole Nason Regarding Consumer Reports’ Withdrawal of Its Infant Car Seat Test Report
“Consumer Reports was right to withdraw its infant car seat test report and I appreciate that they have taken this corrective action. We are always eager to work with Consumer Reports and other organizations to improve child safety and ensure that consumers continue to have access to accurate and credible data. I was troubled by the report because it frightened parents and could have discouraged them from using car seats. It is absolutely essential for every parent to understand that the safest place in an automobile for an infant is in a car seat. Simply put, car seats are the best defense for a child in a crash.
“Our initial review of the Consumer Reports testing procedures showed a significant error in the manner in which it conducted and reported on its side-impact tests. [b]The organization’s data show its side-impact tests were actually conducted under conditions that would represent being struck in excess of 70 mph, twice as fast as the group claimed. When NHTSA tested the same child seats in conditions representing the 38.5 mph conditions claimed by Consumer Reports, the seats stayed in their bases as they should, instead of failing dramatically.”[b]
Video footage of NHTSA’s side-impact tests can be found here (Windows Media format).
A high-resolution version in MP2 format of the Compass safety seat can be downloaded from NHTSA's FTP server here.
A high-resolution version in MP2 format of the Evenflo Discovery safety seat can be downloaded from NHTSA's FTP server here.
“Consumer Reports was right to withdraw its infant car seat test report and I appreciate that they have taken this corrective action. We are always eager to work with Consumer Reports and other organizations to improve child safety and ensure that consumers continue to have access to accurate and credible data. I was troubled by the report because it frightened parents and could have discouraged them from using car seats. It is absolutely essential for every parent to understand that the safest place in an automobile for an infant is in a car seat. Simply put, car seats are the best defense for a child in a crash.
“Our initial review of the Consumer Reports testing procedures showed a significant error in the manner in which it conducted and reported on its side-impact tests. [b]The organization’s data show its side-impact tests were actually conducted under conditions that would represent being struck in excess of 70 mph, twice as fast as the group claimed. When NHTSA tested the same child seats in conditions representing the 38.5 mph conditions claimed by Consumer Reports, the seats stayed in their bases as they should, instead of failing dramatically.”[b]
Video footage of NHTSA’s side-impact tests can be found here (Windows Media format).
A high-resolution version in MP2 format of the Compass safety seat can be downloaded from NHTSA's FTP server here.
A high-resolution version in MP2 format of the Evenflo Discovery safety seat can be downloaded from NHTSA's FTP server here.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: CA
@ 70+ mph full impact (frontal or side), chance of survival is slim so I don't see the point of doing the 70+ mph tests.
They also said they did not have supervision over the tests and that they won't reveal their sources or how the tests were done. If they have nothing to hide... why?
I say republish the report with the correct speeds. Yes, at those speeds the crash would be horrendous and survival drops drastically, but hey, look your baby in the eye and give them that excuse for having a failed child seat that YOU knew failed at higher speeds. I opt to take all of the precaution I can.
The 2 seats that passed are also considerably cheaper than the Britax unit. But the bottom line is that infant seats can be made safer as two units have already proven. Car seat manufacturers sound like Ford whining about how it meets the minimum safety standards. Who wants the minimum? We want the best for our children!
Anyhow, I am selling our Britax unit and getting one of the other two options if I can only find one in stock somewhere.
Last edited by Pearlpower; Jan 22, 2007 at 08:51 AM.
Also, I'm just speculating, but if the car seat can hold up at 70 MPH, it should be safe to assume it will hold up at 50 MPH, 40 MPH and such. Just because a car seat passes the 35 MPH test doesn't really mean it will pass a 45 MPH. I'm sure most will though, but my main point is I rather have the better build car seat. Doesn't matter anyway, I don't use an infant seat anymore as we are using a Recaro booster seat now.
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Well, you guys know my high opinion of Consumer Reports......especially for auto reliability.....but this does appear to be one of their rare flaws.
In a real accident, of course, a lot depends not only on the car seat itself, but the attachment gear and how well the car structure itself absorbs the impact and protects its occupants. Mercedes, Volvo, Subaru, BMW, and Saab are all nameplates that, in general, do a good job of that.
In a real accident, of course, a lot depends not only on the car seat itself, but the attachment gear and how well the car structure itself absorbs the impact and protects its occupants. Mercedes, Volvo, Subaru, BMW, and Saab are all nameplates that, in general, do a good job of that.
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