Rear Seat Safety
The Center for Auto Safety is dedicated to making sure that vehicle passengers in the back seats are just as safe in crashes as those in the front.. Most notably, the Center has fought to update federal standards to prevent seat back collapse, which has not been updated for over five decades. We’ve also tried to make sure that seat belt reminders work to protect us in every position of the car, not just the front seats. Currently , the Center continues to work on seatbelts, child seats, and other issues related to the safety of rear passengers.
Latest News
Three Ways the New Infrastructure Bill may Protect Kids. Center for Health Journalism, December 8, 2021
The Modernizing Seat Back Safety Act could get hung up in Congress. Autoblog.com, September 27, 2021
House Democrats introduce bill to require stronger seat backs. CBS News, June 23, 2021.
Girl’s tragedy has parents calling for changes to car design. US News and World Report. June 8, 2021.
New push for safer car seats to combat seatback failures. AZ Family News. April 28, 2021.
Seat Belts
AP Review: At least 13 auto safety rules are years overdue. Associated Press. October 17, 2021
People who don’t buckle up in the back seat are running real risks. The Washington Post. March 3, 2018.
Unbelted Rider in the Back Could Kill Someone in the Front. Fair Warning. August 2, 2017.
US reviewing seat belts on school buses. February 10, 2015.
Our Actions
Safety Advocates Assail Lack of Federal Action on Weak Vehicle Seats. September 2, 2020.
Auto Safety: At the foundation of the House Infrastructure Bill. June 30, 2020.
More on Rear Seat Safety
Federal Vehicle Seat Standard could be Putting Families at Risk – March 30, 2021
Car Safety Takes a Back Seat for Passengers in the Rear – June 4, 2019
Center for Auto Safety Calls for NCAP Improvements to Protect Rear Seat Passengers – October 1, 2018
CAS Petitions NHTSA to Warn Parents of Seat Back Failure Dangers to Children in Rear Seats – March 9, 2016
CAS Letter to NHTSA Administrator Rosekind – March 9, 2016
CAS Letter to DOT Secretary Foxx – March 11, 2016
NHTSA Urged to Warn Parents of Seat Back Failure Dangers to Children in Rear Seats. March 9, 2016.
“No excuse”: Safety experts say this car defect puts kids in danger. CBS News. March 9, 2016.
CAS Supplement to Petition, Early Warning Reporting – 8/4/16
Collapsing Seat Backs and Injury Causation: A Timeline of Knowledge
Friedman Study: Child Fatalities in Rear Impacts
ARCCA/Cantor Petition for Rulemaking on Seat Back Collapse – 9/28/15
NHTSA Seat Back Rulemaking History
Click here to view the CAS Seat Back Story Archive