Previous studies have shown that properly installed rear-facing car seats will protect children in front end and side impact accidents. However, a new study performed at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center shows that rear-facing car seats are also effective in protecting children in a rear end accident.
According to the university, the research team performed crash tests with multiple rear-facing car seats and found all the seats were effective in absorbing the force of the crash and controlling the child when properly installed. The study was authored by Julie Mansfield who is a Research Engineer for the Injury Biomechanics Research Center at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.
Pennsylvania law requires that children under the age of 2 must be secured in a rear-facing car seat until the child outgrows the maximum weight and height limits designated by the car seat manufacturer.
When choosing and installing a car seat for your child, parents need to follow the recommended guidelines on the correct type of car seat for their child’s height, weight and age. If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident with a car seat in the vehicle you should replace the car seat even in minor accidents.