In this recurring column, SRN shares vehicle-related information from Katrina Rose, SRN collaborator and vehicle liaison for the LATCH Manual. For this issue, Katrina responds to a question inspired by a flow chart in the 2024 CPST Certification Training technician guide.
Read More from “Ask Katrina: Do Vehicle Manuals State If a CR Lock-Off May Be Used?”News
FAA Updates Webpage on Flying With Children
Site now has guidance that aligns with CPS best practice, helps normalize CR use
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has made significant updates to its webpage that supports caregivers flying with children.
Read More from “FAA Updates Webpage on Flying With Children”SRN Editorial: Take Time to Promote CPS on Aircraft
News stories about recent plane crashes present a prime opportunity for CPSTs to promote safety when flying with children, including the importance of using a CR on aircraft.
Read More from “SRN Editorial: Take Time to Promote CPS on Aircraft”NHTSA Issues Rule to Improve LATCH Usability
In January, NHTSA issued a final rule to improve the usability of the LATCH system. To read the rulemaking document, click here or search Docket No. NHTSA-2024-0089 at www.regulations.gov.
Most aspects of the new rule apply to FMVSS 225, directing vehicle manufacturers to further standardize several aspects of lower anchors (LAs) and tether anchors (TAs). The rule also includes a few new requirements for CRs and will amend the upcoming FMVSS 213b.
Read More from “NHTSA Issues Rule to Improve LATCH Usability”Rule Upgrade Requires a Rear Seat Belt Warning System
Final rule marks the first time that belt status warnings will be required for passengers in front and rear seats
In December, NHTSA updated FMVSS 208, Occupant Protection Systems, to require a seat belt use warning system for rear seats. The agency also updated the existing requirements for the driver’s belt warning by extending the duration of the audio and video warnings, and it applied the driver-seat requirements to the front passenger seat.
Read More from “Rule Upgrade Requires a Rear Seat Belt Warning System”Reminder: Keep Debris Out of CR’s Harness Locking Mechanism
A happy aspect of modern CR design is the near uniformity of the system that shortens and lengthens the harness webbing: a front-and-center adjuster strap with a nearby locking/unlocking mechanism.
This familiar system relies on the functionality of a simple lock, which is commonly called a central front adjuster, or CFA. When a CFA is undisturbed, a spring holds its toothed metal clamp onto the CR’s adjuster strap webbing, preventing the harness from moving in the direction that would allow it to lengthen, so it is locked; to unlock and lengthen the harness, simply use a finger to rotate or toggle the CFA so it no longer clamps onto the webbing.
Read More from “Reminder: Keep Debris Out of CR’s Harness Locking Mechanism”Seatback Touching Considerations—Not Exclusive to Dorel CRs
Dorel now requires all of its CRs to touch the seatback ahead when used rear facing, as stated in the company’s current owner’s manuals. A recently published study (Maltese, M., et al.) describes the research that helped inform the company’s decision for this change (see SRN Sept/Oct 2024).
Read More from “Seatback Touching Considerations—Not Exclusive to Dorel CRs”Study Looks at Gap Distances Between RF CRs and Front Seats in Frontal Crashes
In September, the journal Traffic Injury Prevention published an article by Maltese, et al., titled “An evaluation of front seat distance from rear facing child restraint systems in prevention of injury in frontal crashes.” As the title suggests, it is the long-awaited paper that provides the scientific backing for Dorel’s summer 2023 announcement requiring its CRs used rear facing to gently touch the vehicle seat ahead whenever possible.
Read More from “Study Looks at Gap Distances Between RF CRs and Front Seats in Frontal Crashes”Strategies for Reaching AI/AN and Spanish-Speaking Caregivers
A 2024 Kidz in Motion Conference session titled CPS Outreach Strategies and Resources for Tribal Nations and Spanish-Speaking Communities provided important information for any CPS program.
Blue Bird Raises the Bar for School Bus Safety
In a first for the school bus industry, bus maker Blue Bird Corporation has announced that, starting this year, lap-shoulder seat belts will be standard equipment for all seating positions on all of the company’s school buses.
Read More from “Blue Bird Raises the Bar for School Bus Safety”