I read an article on MSNBC.com last night that didn't paint a pretty picture about some car seats. The correspondent reported on Consumer Reports' new findings, saying that out of 12 infant car seats tested, nine performed poorly.
Although all the infant seats passed federal tests, one flew off its base with the dummy child still strapped inside, one wasn't able to fit properly in five different cars and one jumped off the seat then slammed back again.
Infant seats are weird things anyway, with the way the base straps into the car. It's the way the things are configured to face the rear that makes me think it's not impossible for part of the base to pop up from the seat in a head-on collision. That in itself is scary enough. But these findings, which only are from 35 mph and 38 mph crashes, not (heaven forbid) 45 mph or 55 mph.
Even though a seat is still much more safe than no seat at all, these findings should make us all think a little more about our driving habits, particularly when our children are in the backseat. We take a lot for granted in terms of our safety and the competency of other drivers. And we take lot for granted in terms of the protection offered by the infant seats.
You can read the story here.