On Nov. 23, 2016, CBS News provided an update in its series regarding the urgent need for improved regulations concerning seat back strength in automobiles. It reported that several US Senators are sending a letter to NHTSA demanding that the agency take immediate action to remedy this significant seating system requirement deficiency.
As reported by CBS, “every day on average, three children are killed and 470 injured in accidents – 11% of those child victims are in the rear seats where the government recommends children sit.” When seat backs fail in a rear-end collision, the driver and/or front seat passenger can be forced rearward, striking a child sitting in the back seat and often causing serious injury or death.
ARCCA has conducted extensive seat back failure testing and found that the federal standards are currently so low that a banquet chair can meet or exceed those requirements. ARCCA has also petitioned NHTSA on two occasions urging them to improve seat back standards.
