NHTSA unveils new "10-year-old child" crash test dummy
The nation’s automotive safety agency has a new crash test dummy that will be used to evaluate the growing number of child safety seats and boosters made for children weighing more than 65 pounds. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) “10-year-old child” dummy is the latest addition to the agency’s family of test dummies and is the best tool currently available for measuring the risk of injury to a child using a higher-weight child restraint system in the event of a vehicle crash.
“It’s good news that manufacturers are making more car seats and boosters than ever before designed to keep older and heavier children safer on our roadways,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “As the marketplace evolves to accommodate changing consumer needs, it’s important that safety regulators also have the best tools possible for evaluating how well these products work. The new test dummy breaks new ground for the Department’s crash test program and is a significant step forward for evaluating child seat performance.”