In a surprising turn of events, Consumer Reports has retracted a controversial report on infant car seats that had parents concerned about their child’s safety. The magazine admitted that some of its test crashes were conducted at higher speeds than originally claimed.
The initial report painted a grim picture, stating that most of the tested seats “failed disastrously” in crashes as low as 35 mph, with a dummy child being thrown 30 feet. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that some of the crash tests were actually conducted at speeds exceeding 70 mph.
NHTSA administrator Nicole Nason applauded Consumer Reports for withdrawing the report, acknowledging its potential to frighten parents and discourage the use of car seats. Over 100 worried parents had already contacted the agency’s hotline on the night the report was released.
The repercussions of this report have been significant, with doubts raised among parents about the safety of their car seats. Phil Haseltine, executive director of the National Safety Council’s Air Bag & Seat Belt Safety Campaign, emphasized the need for a substantial educational effort to repair the damage through his organization, which consists of automakers, insurance companies, and safety groups.
Consumer Reports has pledged to review its study, retest the car seats, and issue a new article promptly. The initial report recommended only two out of twelve seats and urged a recall for the Evenflo Discovery seat, which the company disputed. Consumer Reports still pushes for a recall of the Discovery seat and another seat due to poor fit in multiple cars.
It is important to note that all seats, except the Discovery, performed adequately in 30 mph frontal crashes, which aligns with the US standard. However, the magazine argued that federal regulators test cars at higher speeds, prompting them to conduct tests at 35 mph for frontal crashes and 38 mph for side crashes.
Consumer Reports’ Don Mays, a product safety director, expressed concern about the lack of routine testing for infant seats, considering they are meant to protect vulnerable children. The magazine’s findings revealed seats separating from their bases or causing serious injuries at lower speeds.
The impact of this retracted report cannot be ignored. We must recognize the responsibility of Consumer Reports to inform and prioritize safety. The testimonies of parents who lost their children due to car seat malfunctions posted by Consumer Affairs amplify the urgency for comprehensive testing and scrutiny in this area.
SOURCE:MSNBC
