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 PostMarch 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

Center for Auto Safety Release on Senate Bills Mandating Changes to Seatback Safety, Distracted Driving Mitigation and Recall Completion Efforts – July 1, 2020

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