Volkswagen ISOFIX

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• published: 23 Oct 2015
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Parents all want the best for their children. They are inclined to purchase all sorts of books, toys, and gadgets for their kids to educate and entertain them. Yet, in one aspect, many parents negligent: safety in bringing children in cars. With the advent of advanced safety features in cars, it’s important that we understand their role in a child’s safety. The basic rule of child safety is to have the little ones buckled up at the back. Children 12 years old and below must sit, with the seatbelt fastened, in the backseat. The reason behind this is simple: physics. A child may have a relatively small mass, but when a car suddenly decelerates, that mass is multiplied by the speed of the car. For example, a child weighing 20 kilograms, will weigh 1,000 kilograms when a vehicle impact occurs at 70 km/h. Imagine what kind of damage that can do to a child’s fragile body. Since cars are operated and occupied by adults, kids need special accessories that allow them to ride properly. These so-called child restraint systems vary in shape and sizes depending on the child it needs to carry. Children below three years old or less than 18 kilograms use a rear-facing baby carrier while older children use forward-facing child seats or booster seats to keep them safe. These child seats are designed to connect to a car using specific anchors called ISOFIX or LATCH—an acronym that stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. This is a universal standard adopted by all car makers. ISOFIX allows a child seat to be securely anchored on the car without the need for a seatbelt. This makes it a worthwhile feature to consider when purchasing a new car. As a standard ISOFIX was developed by Britax-Roemer and Volkswagen. It was introduced to the market in 1997. To use ISOFIX and the correct child seat, it’s important to consult the owner’s manual. But basically, the child seat must not move when attached and they should be reclined more-or-less at an angle of 45-degrees. No matter how carefully you drive, there are factors beyond your control, and accidents can happen. Even if you manage to avoid a collision, hard braking or severe maneuvers can also throw unrestrained occupants around. Without question, a car’s primary purpose is to keep its occupants safe. The car’s passive safety systems—seat belts, airbags and crumple zones—can only do that if you use them properly. Keep everyone buckled up, especially children. They are your car’s most precious cargo; keep them safe whenever you drive.