An evaluation of front seat distance from rear facing child restraint systems in prevention of injury in frontal crash tests.

Objectives: Elevated head injury incidence in infants compared to toddlers involved as occupants in motor vehicle crashes has been demonstrated in multiple population-representative crash databases. Further, experimental studies have revealed a potential injury mechanism impact between a rear-facing, CRS-restrained child and the back of the vehicle seat or console on the row in front of the CRS. Subsequently, experimental studies have suggested that bracing the CRS against the seat immediately in front of the CRS could mitigate head injury, but also indicated that more research was necessary.