January 12, 1996. Copyright, 1996, Graphic News. All rights reserved
Formula 1 gives backing to child safety
By Russell Lewis

LONDON January 12, Graphic News - Grand Prix motor racingÕs governing body, the FIA, together with its member clubs in Europe has given its full support to calls for tough new legislation on child safety seats.
FIA president, Max Mosley, chaired a conference Ð also attended by F1 driver Gerhard Berger and Professor Sid Watkins, chairman of the FIA Safety Working Group Ð held at the Nurburgring race circuit in Germany following the 1995 Grand Prix of Europe that included a presentation of the ISOFIX system, for which members of the European Parliament are lobbying car manufacturers to provide mounting points as a matter of urgency.
The system is being developed by the International Standards Organisation (ISO), and offers a standard for the attachment of child safety restraints (CRS) in motor vehicles.
ISOFIX requires the fitting of four 6mm diameter bars in set positions to which the seat is attached. This connects the seat rigidly to the vehicle, rather than relying on attachment to seat belts. One of the central features of ISOFIX is its universal application Ð any ISOFIX CRS will fit any vehicle equipped with appropriate anchor points. 
Currently, most child safety seats are held in place by using adult seat belts Ð not a role for which they are designed or legally required to perform. It is not always possible to get a tight, secure fit Ð particularly when parents are in a hurry Ð with this set-up. Buckle positions may cause fitting problems due to the many styles and shapes of seats, belts may not be long enough and the shape of the seat cushion itself can also be a problem. Although some seats have fitting kits which can improve installation, they do not offer a complete solution. 
In contrast ISOFIX anchor points are fitted to seat base structures and will, therefore, move with the seat if it is adjusted.
The ISOFIX system simply plugs into its anchor point, and it is precisely this simplicity that makes it difficult not to attach the seat correctly.
Crash tests on the system have shown improved safety levels over existing systems and user trials in Sweden, Germany and the UK have had positive results.
The system is now being written as an international standard by ISO, and once agreed, could be fitted to some cars within three years if manufacturers agree to adopt the system Ð they cannot be fitted to vehicles after production unless provision was made for them in the original design.
Among the companies actively involved in the development of ISOFIX are Volvo, Saab, Ford, Jaguar, Rover and Nissan. In addition to these and other motor manufacturers, organisations Ð including the Transport Research Laboratory in Berkshire Ð in Sweden, Germany, the United States, Canada, Australia and Japan are involved in the programme.
Current safety research in Formula 1 includes a system that would allow an injured driver to be removed from the car still in his seat, avoiding aggravating any injuries he may have suffered. This research led F1 safety officials naturally to thoughts of child seats.
Professor Watkins, a brain surgeon, has treated many children who have suffered head injuries in road accidents and sees the research with ISOFIX as Ôa significant step forward in child safetyÕ.

SOURCES: Transport Research Laboratory, FIA