The Car Seat Dude

13/07/2024

When I was out and about a few weeks ago I had the chance to present in person to this amazing group of mums in Papamoa. Education around child passenger safety is crucial. You cannot engineer you way out it.

11/03/2024

Great to be able to present to the group on the Becoming Mum course. As a parent there is so much going on when you do your ante natal class. Having a course of the essentials once the little arrives is such a great idea.

13/01/2024

My business, Forensic Crash Consultancy Ltd, has grown dramatically over the past year. Unfortunately, I won't be able to offer consultations or advice as a Child Passenger Safety Technician anymore, whether in person, over the phone, or through video sessions.

I will continue to provide training for Child Passenger Safety Technicians and work with the courts, coroners, and other road safety experts to reduce the preventable trauma experienced by our little ones when on the roads.

In addition, I'm currently working on developing online modules for parents, caregivers, and others responsible for ensuring the safety of children travelling on roads. The first of these modules is expected to be released in the first half of 2024.

Thanks
Bruce

06/11/2023

Another case where I was asked by the police to provide expert advice on child restraint safety. Once handed to the coroner, I was privileged to work with her to assist in making the correct decisions and recommendations.

It is extremely important for parents to invest their time and resources in consulting a reliable child passenger safety technician to educate themselves about the right safety measures and ensure their child's safety. Relying on group pages or TikTok videos from influencers will not provide the most accurate or reliable information.

The insights gleaned from this and other cases are utilised in my consultations, presentations, and training of other technicians.

Newborn was not properly secured in capsule before tragic fatal fall.

07/09/2023

As someone who has witnessed the harsh aftermath of 50km/h zone crashes, I can attest to the fact that the current laws in NZ regarding child safety in vehicles are insufficient. Despite the recommendations of experts such as engineers, doctors, surgeons, and crash analysts, many agencies and schools fail to prioritize the safety of children. It is disheartening to see children as young as 7 years old relying solely on seat belts for protection when, in reality, they would be much safer in a seatbelt booster. It is important to remember that child safety on the roads should not be restricted to a certain age dictated by law.

Below is my guide for the Safe Transportation of School-Aged Children.

Physics doesn't care what the law says

Shared with Dropbox

23/08/2023

Out and about around the north island with my crash analysis work and stopped at this dead side road on the desert road. Winter can be a challenging time as caregivers, we want to keep them warm, but we need to remember that they wear nothing thicker than a sweatshirt when in their seat. We need to ensure the harness stays snug (pinch test tight) against their body and not over thick clothing or puffy jackets.

04/08/2023

I was fortunate to work on this case alongside a former colleague from the Northland Serious Crash Unit and assist Coroner Mills with my expert opinion.

Regrettably, this is one of three cases in which the police have engaged with me in the past few years involving fatal crashes.

What is disappointing is that child passenger safety is not in antenatal classes or at any time during the journey new parents or caregivers take.

The key to ensuring child passenger safety is education, and it always has been.

I will shortly launch a new online program for parents and caregivers to provide them with crucial information based on my extensive experience in road safety and witnessing the aftermath of crashes over many years.

In addition, I am designing customized training programs to enhance the proficiency of fellow technicians, as well as specialised courses tailored for those who work professionally with children.

I aim to equip those who want/need it with the necessary resources to ensure the safety of our children.

The 3-month-old was not harnessed into her seat and was surrounded by airbags.

26/07/2023

As we enter a new season, it's important to keep an eye out for mould, which can be a concern for both your child's car seat and your home. Remembering to use air conditioning is a simple way to prevent the primary cause of dampness in your car.

This pamphlet is packed with factual information and scientific research about mould. It's a quick read, only about 5 minutes, and definitely worth your time. When it comes to mould, it's important to trust the science rather than relying on Tik Tok or influencers. So take a few minutes to read through this and get informed!

19/07/2023

Today I flew to Blenheim to carry out the practical training of the group of Child Passenger Safety Technicians I began training last month. Splitting the group in half over the two days allows more one-on-one time and the development of their practical skills.

14/07/2023

I let my oldest, Liam get a workout and use an expired seat to demonstrate that even an expired plastic seat that's been in a multiple rollover crash is still strong. Steel is not a necessity in car seat construction. In fact, a modern blown plastic seat offers far better impact absorption than a traditional steel-framed seat. Like a current vehicle, we want crumple and absorption, not rigid hard steel. So just a quick, fun video to show how strong plastic seats are.

Remember, don't get caught up in the marketing, get caught up in the facts.

As a crash analyst, I have investigated over 1000 crashes and have seen the actual outcomes of crashes. Seeing car seat performance in real crashes, is far different than in a lab.

06/07/2023

Campervans are not equipped for child restraints, and the back seats have not been tested for safety in the event of a crash. The vehicle's approval only covers the security of the anchors where the seatbelts are attached. Additionally, most car seat manufacturers do not permit using their products on the typical wooden box seats. The recommended option is to use the factory seats provided, with the front passenger seat possibly being an option (excluding rear-facing seats if there is an active airbag).

However, I recently had the opportunity to consult on a new campervan model made in New Zealand that has proper rear seats designed and tested with anchors for upper tethers. It's reassuring to see some campervan manufacturers taking passenger safety seriously.

A consultation is highly recommended to ensure safe travel for everyone involved if you are considering buying or renting a campervan.

06/07/2023

While on my way home to my family late last night, I captured a photo after conducting a training session that blended both online and in-person instruction. Effective training involves more than simply possessing knowledge; it necessitates meticulous planning and development to cater to diverse learning styles and backgrounds.

These soon-to-be Child Passenger Safety Technicians are part of a fresh initiative aimed at enhancing the knowledge and proficiency of Technicians across the nation. A technician's role extends beyond merely installing car seats/restraints; it involves a holistic approach to ensure the children and the family are safe on the roads.