For mothers and fathers in St. George, Utah, a child’s safety is the number one priority on the road. And as an auto accident lawyer knows, protection against the dangers of driving is an even greater concern when children are at a younger age and are subject to additional seating requirements. As stated by U.S. News, “According to federal safety guidelines, babies must ride in a semi-reclined, rear-facing position in order to keep their heads upright and airways open.”
However, a new study conducted by The Ohio State University College of Medicine has found that car structures don’t align with car seats about 42 percent of the time.
This is troubling news for parents, because in the event of an auto accident, if seats aren’t fitted properly, children could be at greater risk for injury. A lawyer in St. George or another location would advise parents to make sure seats fit properly before making such an important purchase.
Researchers in the study took measurements of 61 different vehicles and tested a total of 59 different car seats in over 3,600 combinations, according to U.S. News. “It might look great on the shelf and have all these great safety ratings, but if it doesn’t fit in your vehicle then it may not be the best option for you,” said Julie Bing, research engineer on the project.
Often, in order for a car seat to fit properly, parents must shove pool noodles behind gapping spaces and figure out other tricks to ensure a child’s safety.
An auto accident lawyer in St. George would recommend parents take the proper precautions before buying and installing a car seat to certify safety. According to U.S. News, some hospitals host programs to help parents “fit seats before they take newborns home,” and most stores will let customers test merchandise out before making a purchase.