Integrated Booster Seats: Crash Protection, Ease of Use and Child Induced Errors in Use

Integrated boosters are approved restraints and have potential to provide superior performance than add-on boosters. However no comparative data is available. This paper presents a program of work examining comparative crash protection, ease of use and likelihood of misuse between integrated and add-on boosters. The results reveal few differences in crash protection. However, good side impact protection in the integrated booster requires the presence of a side curtain, and better lateral support for non-struck side occupants. The integrated booster was easier for parents to install but did not demonstrate any benefit in reducing child induced misuse.