3Australian Consumers’ Association, Australia
During crash sled tests in 1993, some of the new child restraint systems (CRS’s) sold in Australia did not appear to offer the same levels of protection as the existing products in the marketplace.
There has also been a significant increase in the number of complaints made to the Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW (RTA) about CRS/motor vehicle compatibility, difficult installations and usage problems.
The Roads and Traffic Authority, the NRMA Ltd and the Australian Consumers’ Association (ACA) conducted the first stage of an ongoing joint program to provide consumers's with information which will enable them to make: an informed choice when purchasing a CRS. This should allow market forces to bring about consumer driven ‘movements to CRS design.
CRS’s were examined for their:
Twenty-two CRS’s were evaluated. These included dedicated rearward facing infant restraints, dedicated forward facing child seats, convertibles (CRS’s which convert from rearward facing infant restraints to forward facing child seats), booster seats, (with back and sides) and booster cushions (backless).
At the conclusion of the program, the results were presented in a national subscription consumer magazine with advice to consumers as to what to buy. Wider consumer access was arranged through a brochure in which a CRS was given a Preferred Buy rating if it performed well in all the crash tests and scored well for ease of correct installation and for ease of use.