Since the first European funded project on child safety (CREST - child restraint systems for cars) which started in 1996, the VSRC has established a research base and expertise in child occupant safety in vehicles. This has been built on ESRI’s strengths - the VSRC’s real world crash investigation and accident data analysis skills and the AEC’s applied ergonomics and product design, use and safety expertise. The various national and European funded projects have involved a breadth of activities including:
- Accident data analysis - national statistics, specialised databases, in-depth case reviews
- Real-world in-depth crash investigations
- Injury causation, biomechanics, mechanisms and risks
- Child restraint use and misuse and understanding the consequences of misuse in terms of injury outcome
- Child restraint usability and assessment procedures
- Evaluation of child restraint and seatbelt fit in cars, minibuses and coaches
Contributions have been made to the new European seat belt use directive, national law, policy and information, the CRS industry, Police Forces, road safety organisations and the public. |
