Austrian impact test: OAMTC (ie Austrian Automobile Club) is another validated source of information regarding the safety tests to which child car seats are subjected.
OAMTC publishes these results twice a year, as do the ADAC , evaluation criteria and interpretation being similar.
The Children’s Car Safety Center also provides you with the results of these tests to help you make the most appropriate choices for your little ones.
The testing criteria, as well as the interpretation of the impact test performed by OAMTC are similar to those of the test performed by ADAC.
Here are the first results of the latest Austrian Impact Test: OAMTC
In 2020, ÖAMTC and its partners again tested the latest child seats in terms of safety, performance, ergonomics and pollutant levels. This time there was no “very good”, but none of the 23 models had to be evaluated “insufficient”. This shows that the manufacturers have our recommendations and take suggestions for improvement seriously. ” In detail, 17 of the 23 child seats tested were rated ‘good’, five were rated ‘satisfactory’ and one model was ‘sufficient’.
Overview of results can be downloaded and viewed on www.oeamtc.at/presse.
Low pollution, operation and safety are not always top notch
One problem that has often led to the devaluation of seats that are actually good in the ÖAMTC test in recent years has been pollution. “Carcinogens have been found mainly in covers. It’s nice that this time all models get good to very good results and according to this criterion – so it can be done without substances, some of which are extremely toxic,” says Kerbl. . In addition, there have been very few models to complain about in terms of ergonomics: the seat space, the space required in the car, the position of the seats and the comfort are in the green area for almost all models.
However, in the areas of safety and operation, compromises need to be made with some child seats. ÖAMTC expert, Kerbl: “Here, Osann Flux Plus stands out, the only seat evaluated with” enough “. This inexpensive model has been shown to have an increased risk of injury in the event of a frontal accident, and the seat could be more stable in the vehicle. The belt guide is quite complicated, which can lead to the child not being properly insured. “The fact that even a more expensive model does not protect against operating errors is presented by the Beryl seat cover from Maxi-Cosi: This model covers a wide range of ages (from birth to about seven years), which has as Some children must be secured in the opposite direction, with children weighing more than 13 kg in the direction of travel.For children weighing more than 18 kg, the vehicle belt must also be used for fastening in addition to Isofix – all they can cause parents to install the seat too early in the direction of travel or to use it for too long without the vehicle’s seat belt.
Folding child seats are ‘satisfactory’
With Chicco Fold & Go i-Size and Mifold Hifold Fit and Fold Booster, this time two folding child seats were represented in the ÖAMTC test. Steffan Kerbl’s verdict: “Both models get a” satisfactory “rating. When folded, they are characterized by a small footprint and are therefore aimed at families who, for example, use different means of transport on holiday or rely on joint offers. ” Children between the ages of 4 and 12 are insured in these models (more precisely, they are safety seats with backrests) with the vehicle belt, with Chicco, Isofix is also possible in some vehicle models. While Chicco is a little more complicated to use due to the various additional elements (belt pads, side impact protection), an increased risk of injury to a side impact with mifold has been found. Overall, however, both models are suitable for the purpose declared.
By the way: When choosing the right seat and installing it in your own car, it is good to turn to specialized experts. Because only if the child seat has been installed correctly does it protect the child in the event of a car accident.
The mission of the Children’s Car Safety Centers is to provide you with updated safety information passenger car and help you make the right decisions based on age, height, baby weight and make, model and year of manufacture of the car in which this seat will be installed.
Editor’s Note: The material and images are taken from the OAMTC Austria website.
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