Cushions put drivers at greater injury risk, research shows
A major study has found that drivers who place additional seating features in their vehicles are likely to suffer increased injuries, especially in side-impact collisions and to a lesser extent in rear-impact collisions.
Research carried out for the British Department of Transport claims that women who use cushions on car seats are more at risk because of their body profile. The study states that motorists sitting on cushions face an increased danger because they position drivers nearer to steering wheels and airbags.
Some tests showed the risk of pelvic injury increases by up to 120% in front impact collisions, while serious rib injuries can increase by up to 175% in side impact crashes.
However, researchers said it was not possible to make a generalised statement to predict the increased risk of injury due to the variety of cushions available on the market.
Thousands of drivers in Ireland are believed to use cushions in addition to the standard seating features in their vehicles. Disabled motorists and people of small stature frequently need to use cushions when driving, while many more use them for extra comfort and improved visibility.
“Different cushions effect performance in different ways, depending on the direction of impact and the size of occupant,” says the report, which examined 97 different booster cushions available on the market.
Its authors stress that some cushions can improve safety while others increase the risk of injury in collisions.
They advise drivers to ensure that a cushion does not interfere with the operation of existing car safety systems. It is also recommended that cushions do not place occupants too far forward or too high up in the seat.
However, the research team said it was evident that motorists give little thought to how cushions may affect the performance of safety systems in their cars.
“The introduction of a cushion into the vehicle may effect the performance of the various safety systems, such that in an accident the system may no longer give adequate protection to the driver,” the report concludes.
It points out that seat belts and other safety restraints are not optimised to perform with a range of additional cushions.
It recommends motorists to adjust the height of the vehicle seat and shorten the length of the seat belt stalk rather than use a cushion.
