For the crash test, the oAMTC used two dummies representing a 6- and a 10-year-old child. In several driving and accident scenarios, four different child safety seats and one child safety seat were tested. booster seats tested. "the test evaluations show that the car headrest achieves a supporting effect that the child seat alone does not offer. the headrest significantly reduces the forces that occur, i.e. acceleration, tensile force and bending moment," says oAMTC technician steffan kerbl. However, the mounted headrest has a negative effect on the child’s comfort, as the child has to sit upright and can tip forward when falling asleep.
The standard groups for child seats
Child seats are divided into standard groups according to weight or size. body size are.
- The "old" standard groups by weight (ECE 44) are still valid, they are divided into group 0 to III.
- The newer i-size standard (R129, which came into force in July 2013 in addition to ECE 44) is not mandatory, but offers even more safety overall. Here is not according to body weight, but according to body size subdivided – and children up to 15 months of age must sit rearward facing in this standard (reboard model).
I-size child seats may be used in phase 1+2 only by isofix-the seat can be fastened with a latching system. Only in the newer i-size phase 3 is a fastening with the belt allowed. - Our tip: children do not always conform to "standards", which is why it is important to "try out" the seat when buying it. Because the child seat should fit the child, not the norm.
Here is an overview of the various child seats, divided into standard groups and according to the size, weight and age of the child.
The different i-size standards
I-size phase 1
Child seats with this classification are designed for children with a body size of from 40 to max. 105 cm suitable – this corresponds approximately to the standard group 0+/I or. An age of about 4 years. These are often reboarder models, which are mandatory under this standard up to the age of 15 months.
I-size phase 2
Child seats of this classification are suitable for a body size 100 to max. 150 cm – this corresponds approximately to the "old" standard groups II/III.
I-size phase 3
For babies with from birth up to a body height of up to 105 cm, thus regarding size as with phase 1 – with the essential difference that child seats with this classification are not fastened by isofix, but with the vehicle belt. This is z.B. For classic cars a good choice if no isofix fastening is possible.
The different weight classes
weight class 0
Children with less than 10 kg should be secured with baby car seats (against the direction of travel) or baby carriers (can be used across the direction of travel of the vehicle).
Weight class 0+
Children with less than 13 kg should be secured with infant carriers/baby seats (usually installed as reboard seats in the opposite direction of travel).
weight class I
Children with 9-18 kg should be secured with child seats in and against the direction of travel; the children are secured with harness belts, catch tables or the vehicle three-point belt with special belt clamp.
Weight class II
Children with 15 kg to 25 kg should be secured with child seats that are fastened in the vehicle with their own belts at the anchorage points for adult safety belts or by normal adult safety belts (3-point safety belts or lap belts); some child seats are equipped with impact protection (table frame, catch body). Children in weight class II can also be secured with a seat cushion.
Weight class III
Children with 22 kg to 36 kg should be secured with seat cushions (pads) with and without backrests.
You can read the complete regulations for child safety in austria here.
Frequently asked questions about mandatory child safety seats and child restraints in cars
In general, child seats that are approved according to the newer i-size standard (R129) are considered to be safer. But also models which are approved according to the old weight groups (standard groups 0-III) still achieve very good results in crash tests. Here a selection of test winners by ADAC (respectively. oAMTC)-crash tests in recent years:
– "jade" from maxi cosi: a baby seat according to i-size for babies up to 12 months. One of the test winners 2019 at the ADAC – baby car seats from maxi cosi are available here.
– "cybex gold" from cybex: a baby car seat of standard group 0, suitable for children up to a maximum of 13 kg. Among the test winners in the ADAC child seat test from 2017 – the cybex gold is available here.
– besafe izi kid X3 i-size: for children from approx. 1-4 years suitable. This model has the best safety rating of all child seats tested since 2015: rated "very good" in both frontal and side impact tests.
Children under 14 years with a body height under 135 cm must always be accompanied by a restraint are transported in the car, according to the law. However, it is recommended to use a child seat up to a height of 150 cm. Important: the belt must never run across the neck (whether with or without a child seat).
Children who have already been over 135 cm are large, but still have under 14 years If the child is only one year old, he/she may already use safety belt are secured.
Exception: children from the age of 3 are allowed in the rear seats even without a seat belt can be transported, if there is no such a seat in the vehicle (z.B. In a vintage car). The corresponding excerpt from § 106 abs. 5 KFG 1967: "if the vehicle is not equipped with safety systems (safety belts or restraint system), except in vehicles of classes M2 and M3, children who have not yet reached the age of three may not be transported and must be transported in seats other than the front seats from the age of three."
In the newer i-size standard, the seats are subdivided according to size.
I-size phase 1 are suitable for babies from 40-105 cm, phase 2 for children from 100-150 cm.
In the older standard ECE 44 is divided into standard groups (0-III) according to weight:
standard group 0: up to about 10 kg (about up to 12 months)
standard group Ifrom 9-18 kg (about 1-4 years)
standard group IIfrom 15-25 kg (about 3,5-7 years)
standard group III: from 25-36 kg (about 7-12 years)
i-size child seats are generally considered to be safer and more. They offer improved protection in the event of a side and frontal impact, and the head and neck area is also better protected – not least because the i-size standard makes rearward-facing driving mandatory for children up to 15 months of age.
In addition, the use of the ISOFIX system minimizes the risk of incorrect installation of the seat in the vehicle.
And when it comes to buying i-size child seats, there is a decisive advantage: the choice is made according to the child’s body size – and is therefore easier than with seats with the standard sizes according to the child’s weight.
Child booster seats with backrest
A booster seat can be an alternative to a child seat, provided that a model with a backrest is chosen. Models without backrests are just as common, but they perform poorly in crash tests, even if they meet the legal requirements.
The problem according to the experts from stiftung warentest: booster seats without backrests offer no protection in the event of a side impact. And: they do not provide enough support when the child is asleep.