Rear Row Frontal Airbags and Their Interaction with Rear-Facing and Forward-Facing Child Restraint Systems (CRS)

Authors: Julie Mansfield, Gretchen Baker, The Ohio State University

Abstract

Airbags that deploy in front of the occupant are being implemented for rear row passengers. This study explores frontal sled tests with Mercedes-Benz S-Class rear row airbags for a 3-year-old Hybrid III in rear-facing (RF) and forward-facing (FF) child restraint systems (CRS). Compared to a baseline no-airbag condition, the RF CRS with airbag showed reduced injury metrics in the head (HIC), chest, and neck. There was an increase in head resultant acceleration. For FF CRS, the airbag was beneficial for neck metrics but was not beneficial for acceleration-based metrics in the head and chest. These data offer generally encouraging outcomes in cases where a driver may neglect to disable the rear row airbag for child occupants. More data are needed from a wider variety of conditions to broadly determine the risks or benefits of rear row airbags for children. 

Type: Short Communication

© Stapp Car Crash Conference, 2025

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