Accidents happen unexpectedly and are not deliberate. Traffic collision is a category of accident that can cause injury, death and damage to property. Deaths due to traffic collision, for instance in the United States with some of the most technological advances and safety measures is 40,000 annually. Though the safety requirements are increasing and accident rates are generally decreasing, the number of injured and deaths have been increasing. This is due to more traffic, rising population and more travelers.
The active safety devices and systems and the passive safety devices and systems are the two types of safety measures. The active safety devices and systems require the traveler to carry out certain safety measures such as fastening the seat belt. The passive safety devices and systems on the other hand do not require any intervention by the traveler. They are automatic. Inflation of air bag on impact or sudden jerk is an instance of this category.
The most vulnerable section of travelers is the children when it comes to accidents. They are smaller and lighter than the adults. Sudden jerks during collision impact can dislodge the children and throw them off. Safety measures as air bags and active seat belts can be useful. Special safety measures for children and infants are recognized to be installed or adopted according to the height, weight and age of the children. Many countries have adopted safety measures for children and made them mandatory in vehicles that transport children. These include child safety locks and child seat. Power window lockouts are installed so that the driver can control the opening and shutting of windows and doors to prevent children from meddling with them.
Infant seat belts are specifically designed for infants. These are seats that are secured to the automobile. The infant is held firmly to the infant seat belt while traveling and in the event of an accident or sudden jerks. Infant seat belts have become mandatory in some countries as part of the safety regulations. Infant safety seats are available in the market in different models. Britax Frontier Booster Car Seat offers advanced shock-absorption as well as cushioning in side impact collisions. It is easy to set up the seat.
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe introduced ‘Regulation R44-04’ as the international safety standard for child and baby seats. The International Organization for Standardization too has come out in 1990 with its own safety standard called ISOFIX. The equivalent of this standard in the United States is the LACTH. ISOFIX compliant seats are available in some automobiles.