PRECIOUS CARGO

A key aspect evaluated during our latest SUV Shootout is how well each package suits those with young families. Let's take a closer look at the evolution of rear passenger occupant protection

- Ian McLaren

It seems unfathomable that not so long ago, it was considered acceptable practice to have young children either free to roam on the back seat of a motor vehicle or, indeed, held on an adult's lap in the front passenger seat. While some road users still need a scare or, in a worst-case scenario, a tragedy to appreciate the forces at play when a car moving at just 30 km/h comes to a sudden stop, the modern motoring world has long since sought to provide appropriate protection for young passengers in the event of an accident.

Of course, while many of the options available today rely on both user buy-in and proper installation, it’s refreshing to see that progress continues to be made in this important area.

THE EARLY DAYS

Modern child occupant protection focuses on preventing young passengers from being shifted from their seating position in the event of a collision. Yet, the concept of keeping children from moving freely within the cabin of a motor vehicle was explored as far back as the 1930s. Admittedly, this was likely more about giving the parents a break and eliminating unnecessary distraction for the driver; the rudimentary metal-made design introduced by the Bunny Bear Company in 1933 sought to offer a raised seating position for your child while keeping them in one spot for the duration of a journey. With no claims of added protection in the event of an accident, this was at least a step in the right direction in terms of focusing on a dedicated area within a car to keep a child secure.

THE EARLY DAYS OF LEGISLATION