The Car Seat Dude

13/01/2024

My business, Forensic Crash Consultancy Ltd, has grown dramatically over the past year. Unfortunately, I won't be able to offer consultations or advice as a Child Passenger Safety Technician anymore, whether in person, over the phone, or through video sessions.

I will continue to provide training for Child Passenger Safety Technicians and work with the courts, coroners, and other road safety experts to reduce the preventable trauma experienced by our little ones when on the roads.

In addition, I'm currently working on developing online modules for parents, caregivers, and others responsible for ensuring the safety of children travelling on roads. The first of these modules is expected to be released in the first half of 2024.

Thanks
Bruce

06/11/2023

Another case where I was asked by the police to provide expert advice on child restraint safety. Once handed to the coroner, I was privileged to work with her to assist in making the correct decisions and recommendations.

It is extremely important for parents to invest their time and resources in consulting a reliable child passenger safety technician to educate themselves about the right safety measures and ensure their child's safety. Relying on group pages or TikTok videos from influencers will not provide the most accurate or reliable information.

The insights gleaned from this and other cases are utilised in my consultations, presentations, and training of other technicians.

Newborn was not properly secured in capsule before tragic fatal fall.

07/09/2023

As someone who has witnessed the harsh aftermath of 50km/h zone crashes, I can attest to the fact that the current laws in NZ regarding child safety in vehicles are insufficient. Despite the recommendations of experts such as engineers, doctors, surgeons, and crash analysts, many agencies and schools fail to prioritize the safety of children. It is disheartening to see children as young as 7 years old relying solely on seat belts for protection when, in reality, they would be much safer in a seatbelt booster. It is important to remember that child safety on the roads should not be restricted to a certain age dictated by law.

Below is my guide for the Safe Transportation of School-Aged Children.

Physics doesn't care what the law says

Shared with Dropbox

23/08/2023

Out and about around the north island with my crash analysis work and stopped at this dead side road on the desert road. Winter can be a challenging time as caregivers, we want to keep them warm, but we need to remember that they wear nothing thicker than a sweatshirt when in their seat. We need to ensure the harness stays snug (pinch test tight) against their body and not over thick clothing or puffy jackets.

04/08/2023

I was fortunate to work on this case alongside a former colleague from the Northland Serious Crash Unit and assist Coroner Mills with my expert opinion.

Regrettably, this is one of three cases in which the police have engaged with me in the past few years involving fatal crashes.

What is disappointing is that child passenger safety is not in antenatal classes or at any time during the journey new parents or caregivers take.

The key to ensuring child passenger safety is education, and it always has been.

I will shortly launch a new online program for parents and caregivers to provide them with crucial information based on my extensive experience in road safety and witnessing the aftermath of crashes over many years.

In addition, I am designing customized training programs to enhance the proficiency of fellow technicians, as well as specialised courses tailored for those who work professionally with children.

I aim to equip those who want/need it with the necessary resources to ensure the safety of our children.

The 3-month-old was not harnessed into her seat and was surrounded by airbags.

26/07/2023

As we enter a new season, it's important to keep an eye out for mould, which can be a concern for both your child's car seat and your home. Remembering to use air conditioning is a simple way to prevent the primary cause of dampness in your car.

This pamphlet is packed with factual information and scientific research about mould. It's a quick read, only about 5 minutes, and definitely worth your time. When it comes to mould, it's important to trust the science rather than relying on Tik Tok or influencers. So take a few minutes to read through this and get informed!

19/07/2023

Today I flew to Blenheim to carry out the practical training of the group of Child Passenger Safety Technicians I began training last month. Splitting the group in half over the two days allows more one-on-one time and the development of their practical skills.

14/07/2023

I let my oldest, Liam get a workout and use an expired seat to demonstrate that even an expired plastic seat that's been in a multiple rollover crash is still strong. Steel is not a necessity in car seat construction. In fact, a modern blown plastic seat offers far better impact absorption than a traditional steel-framed seat. Like a current vehicle, we want crumple and absorption, not rigid hard steel. So just a quick, fun video to show how strong plastic seats are.

Remember, don't get caught up in the marketing, get caught up in the facts.

As a crash analyst, I have investigated over 1000 crashes and have seen the actual outcomes of crashes. Seeing car seat performance in real crashes, is far different than in a lab.

06/07/2023

Campervans are not equipped for child restraints, and the back seats have not been tested for safety in the event of a crash. The vehicle's approval only covers the security of the anchors where the seatbelts are attached. Additionally, most car seat manufacturers do not permit using their products on the typical wooden box seats. The recommended option is to use the factory seats provided, with the front passenger seat possibly being an option (excluding rear-facing seats if there is an active airbag).

However, I recently had the opportunity to consult on a new campervan model made in New Zealand that has proper rear seats designed and tested with anchors for upper tethers. It's reassuring to see some campervan manufacturers taking passenger safety seriously.

A consultation is highly recommended to ensure safe travel for everyone involved if you are considering buying or renting a campervan.

06/07/2023

While on my way home to my family late last night, I captured a photo after conducting a training session that blended both online and in-person instruction. Effective training involves more than simply possessing knowledge; it necessitates meticulous planning and development to cater to diverse learning styles and backgrounds.

These soon-to-be Child Passenger Safety Technicians are part of a fresh initiative aimed at enhancing the knowledge and proficiency of Technicians across the nation. A technician's role extends beyond merely installing car seats/restraints; it involves a holistic approach to ensure the children and the family are safe on the roads.

19/06/2023

I am currently in Blenheim, getting ready to train a fresh batch of Child Passenger Safety Technicians for the Marlborough Council. It's great to see councils supporting community groups that work towards improving family services.Today, I am in Blenheim to train a new group of Child Passenger Safety Technicians for the Marlborough Council. It's great to see councils supporting local community groups to better support the families they provide services to.

Education is the key to keeping our children safe when travelling.

17/06/2023

Recently, I've had several phone and video consultations where clients expressed feeling overwhelmed and confused by the pressure from certain shops to purchase products for questionable reasons. I wanted to touch on this topic briefly and how to avoid being caught up in marketing but get caught up in the facts.

My service is unique due to my 18 years of experience as a crash analyst with over 1000 crash investigations under my belt. I have the experience and knowledge base to offer advice that is fact based. I dont just carry out crash anlaysis but I am active in crash testing and evaluation.

My consultation process identifies your needs and offers independent and objective recommendations most suitable for your family. I do not promote any particular brand or sell seats for this exact reason.

It is disheartening when clients approach me after purchasing a seat that is not suitable for them, especially when they cannot afford them. Price does not dictate safety, and just because it's for sale doesn't mean it's safe.

I would like to share feedback I received from recent clients from across the country.

"I really appreciated all your advice, everyone should call you before they purchase a car seat."

"Bruce has a very down-to-earth and encouraging manner in the way he talks."

08/06/2023

A good child passenger safety technician should do more than install your child's car seat. Rather than telling you, they should aim to educate and empower you to make informed decisions on your own.

Whether you seek advice in person or through a phone/video consultation, I offer impartial and evidence-based guidance to help you make informed decisions that suit your circumstances.

16/04/2023

Whilst away in the USA, my family and I visited the NASCAR Hall of Fame museum. This is the latest driver seat for their cars. Motor racing and child seat technology are both striving to solve the same issues, primarily reduction in head and neck injuries. Head and neck injuries are the most prevalent and dangerous crash injury. The construction and design of the large head rests in this seat mirror those of child seats. (The chrome rails are not part of the seat, but to help us adults out 😃)

27/03/2023

An amazing opportunity today to speak on my experience in crash investigation of cases involving child passengers and how effective child restraints are at the Auckland Transport Whitiki (child restraints) Road Safety Development day.

Fantastic work from the Te Ara Haepapa injury prevention team. Road safety, for me, has always seen the user as the solution, not the problem. If we genuinely want to reduce road trauma, the user must be an integral part of the solution.

User mindset can be changed or like with children, developed. A child will one day we a road user, so road safety starts at a young age.

26/03/2023

As my long-time followers will know, I became trained as a child restraint technician after experiencing a shocking incident years ago with a 6-month-old travelling in a vehicle when on the police serious crash unit; a year or so later, I created Car Seat Dude to assist families and share my knowledge from a crash analyst's point of view.

This weekend I am fortunate to be trained in the unique aspect of ensuring children with special needs are travelling safely.

The amazing Renee Ann Witmer has travelled all the way from Spokane, Washington, in the US, to pass on this specialist area of knowledge.

19/03/2023

As a crash analyst and recognised expert witness in this and child passenger safety, continuous professional development is essential. So I will be heading off to Florida in the US to WREX in April. My family and I are also taking a well-earned break. With my workload and presenting at a conference in NZ before I go, I will not be taking any further appointments until the 1st of May.

09/03/2023

There has just been a recall on some specific Maxi Cosi Capsule and Bases. This is only for those listed. They are the bases that have retractable ISOFIX or called LATCH in the US.

There are many different model capsules and bases, so check the model number on your base first. Not all are affected. If it is an affected one, contact Dorel (the importer) - at [email protected].

Maxi-Cosi Coral XP IC313 seats manufactured between May 1, 2020 and Feb. 28, 2023

• Maxi-Cosi Mico XP Max IC337 seats manufactured between Jan. 1, 2021 and Feb. 28, 2023

• Maxi-Cosi Mico XP IC336 and IC338 seats manufactured between Sept. 1, 2020 and Feb. 28, 2023

• Maxi-Cosi Micro Luxe+ IC370 seats manufactured between Jan. 1, 2022 and Feb. 28, 2023

• Maxi-Cosi Infant Base IC335 seat bases manufactured between Jan. 1, 2021 and Feb. 28, 2023

Dorel Juvenile Group is recalling Safety 1st onBoard 35 Secure Tech, Maxi-Cosi Coral XP, Maxi-Cosi Mico XP Max, Maxi-Cosi Mico XP, Maxi-Cosi Mico Luxe+, and Maxi-Cosi Infant Base child seats. Consumer Reports has info on how to get a free replacement base.

01/03/2023

A cold call from a reporter for my opinion on this rollover crash. Crashes like this are a daily hazard on rural roads but are predominantly due to poor driving. But it highlights the results for the vehicle concerned and the person with the dashcam.

It doesn't matter how good a driver you may think you are or what your partner feels. Ensuring your vehicle is safe and making those good decisions on car seat choice, and ensuring it's directly installed and used is vital.

It's not wrapping them in bubble wrap; it's doing your best to reduce the risk when this type of thing occurs in front of you.

Crash analyst Bruce Wilson says it's pretty hard to roll a car, but once this ute hit an open gutter "you don't get to decide what happens next".

18/02/2023

A friendly reminder that all our advice has an associated charge, depending on the consultation that is required. All our services and charges are available on our page. Over the past month we have had a number of people ask us a question and when we have advised a consultation would be required, we either don't hear from them again or they seek out free advice from alternative sources. This is disappointing and frustrating as our charges are extremely fair and heavily discounted based on the skill set and expertise that Bruce has over and above a standard technician because of Bruce's years of serious crash training. When we look at different industry's the rates are what the rates are - Plumbers and Electrician's $100 plus per hour, Accountants and Lawyers $400 plus per hour - all are fair and realistic, so let's also be realistic about the rate of a child passenger safety/restraint technician.

10/12/2022

This is the full test video I did back in 2019 in which I strike the seat with a concrete block and also use a sledgehammer to show the strength of a very expired seat. The role of a child restraint is to reduce the impact forces on the child in a controlled manner. I always say "slowing them down as slowly as possible". So in this respect a steel framed seat offers no advantages. Modern plastics seats, especially those that are of a blown plastic design offer great protection, by 'absorbing' crash forces. A solid framed steel seat can transfer this force rather than absorb.

Remember facts are important, not marketing hype and an influencer giving it the thumbs up.

After a poorly presented news article on child restraint safety where a 'design expert' with what appears to be little to no understanding of the science beh...

13/11/2022

Hello everyone in our Car Seat Dude community. I am the wife of Bruce “The Car Seat Dude”, I am a full time Chartered Accountant and I work in the background on the finance and administrative tasks for the business. Going forward you will see me pop up more often.

A few housekeeping matters to note please -
1. All invoices are raised on the date the service is provided, with a due date being the following day. Our payment terms are no different to when you go to your hairdressers for a hair cut, however in goodwill, we do provide you with an additional day to make payment.
2. All invoices will be sent out of Xero on the date the invoice is raised. Please do not be offended if we have to send you a reminder after the due date.
3. We are a small business and rely on prompt payment.
4. Bruce will get messages on a daily basis asking a “quick” question. No question is a quick question and therefore we will always advise to have a consultation. Bruce’s time has a value, which has been built up over years of practical and theoretical experience.
5. When asking for an appointment, we like you to be straight up and tell us the days and times that work for you, as this saves us time going between each other to setup a time.

Thank you for your continued support.

10/11/2022

So often marketing, influencers and the internet make the choice of the best option for your child? You need to ask to yourself, “what facts and experience does the person giving the opinion have?”. As a crash analyst, I have attended over 1000 crashes and continue my education in the field. I have seen the trauma caused by crashes and understand the physics behind it. Keeping your little one safe is not about fashion, what's popular or trending, but what is the safest option for you.

04/11/2022

For those that like to shout with capital letters and make dispersions as to my qualifications. This is practical testing. These are my boys being part of my team. Education is key. My boys assist me in keeping those on the road safe. They helped as I carried out this testing and then presented to their school the dangers. There is no money gained, it is all to help others to keep safe. Empowering through education.

02/11/2022

MY EXPERT OPINION REGARDING THE NUNA RAVA INSPECTION

This is an abridged version

The Nuna importer did not inspect the seat when given the opportunity, apart from a visual inspection with the cover removed. They advised this was due to it being dirty. The seat in question was no different from the many seats of private clients or at checking clinics. This so-called inspection was carried out by people only trained as technicians. None of the technician training covers mechanical or design principles of fault analysis. So their opinion is not much more than conjecture.

The Nuna Rava is not designed to be easily disassembled like many other seats are. Therefore, making any repairs by the importer, let alone cleaning by a user.

The parts that can/need cleaning are not accessible by a regular user—complicated by the fact that the manual prohibits a user from disassembling it. So a user cannot comply with any cleaning requirements by the manufacturer other than surface cleaning.

This is due to the seat being several layers, with the adjuster strap and recline mechanism under several of these. Getting to the area of concern took around 4 hours of work. This entailed removing two polystyrene pads and two foam pads as these covered screws. For the seat to be returned to a safe state, it would require replacing these four items. This seat is just not designed to be easily serviced or repaired. Let alone cleaned.

Due to the closed-off design, any food, urine, etc., cannot be entirely removed and cleaned. This is a concern, as suggested by Nuna, that cleanliness was the issue (which it was not). They would have seen the issue if they had had a qualified person to strip the seat down. This means the recline mechanism and other vital areas cannot be reached to be cleaned.

Part of my seat inspection was accurately testing the force required to pull the adjuster strap. On receiving the seat, it had an average pull of over six tests of 6.5kg. For comparison, a brand-new Infasecure averaged 1kg, and an expired Infasecure was 1.2kg. A Diono, in bad shape and not well looked after, mould-damaged harness averaged 2kg. Even when a thorough clean the Nuna only lowered to 3.5kg.

Even at 2kg, this is too high a pull for a parent when the seat is Rear Facing. For a parent or older caregiver, this is a significant concern. The tightness of a harness is a crucial aspect for a child restraint. No matter the seat and cost, it cannot offer optimal protection if it is not correctly set up. A loose harness, especially if uneven, increases the child sustaining an injury or being ejected from the restraint entirely.

Ultimately a car seat should be easy to install and use, including the effort required to pull the harness adjuster strap.

1. This is not an isolated case.
2. Yes, the seat was dirty but no more than a typical seat of this much use. I have seen far worse.
3. The state of cleanliness has nothing to do with the issue that it is a design fault.
4. As a user, you cannot disassemble the seat and cannot thoroughly clean the seat.
5. The design issue means the adjustor moves off a thin centre ridge and jams/wedges itself, which results in the high pull load needed.
6. Every seat will eventually succumb to this issue eventually.
7. I don't believe the seat will last its 10-year design life.
8. The primary issue is the excessive pull required and the likely outcome of an incorrectly tightened harness.
9. It is not fit for purpose and this design fault will always lead to the same issues happening.

What Should You Do
• See a good independent child restraint technician
• Check to see if the chest clip is not causing the uneven pull. This is a common problem with US standard seats
• If it has fraying and is hard to adjust, the retailer needs to be contacted for a refund.

Appendix 1 – Qualifications
1. I am a Forensic Crash Consultancy Ltd director in which I carry out crash analysis, road safety consultancy, and deliver training in crash investigation.
2. I am the NZ director of the Australasian & South Pacific Association of Collision Investigators (ASPACI).
3. I am a member of the United States of America-based National Association of Professional Accident Reconstruction Specialists (NAPARS).
4. I continue to attend courses, seminars and conferences in crash analysis and vehicle-related systems to maintain my currency.
5. I am actively conducting practical crash testing and research for myself and other independent organisations.
6. I have given expert evidence on behalf of the police in both the District and Coroners Courts. I also instructed other officers in preparing and presenting expert evidence in court.
7. I have prepared expert reports for the police for District and Coroners Courts, both as an officer and independent consultant.
8. I hold a level 4 Certificate in Adult Education and specialise in learning and development delivery.
9. I have completed an Incident Cause Analysis Method investigation techniques course.
10. Before my current role, I was the Supervising Instructor for all crash investigation training for the New Zealand Police and a subject matter expert on all aspects of Road Policing.
11. I was a supervisor for the Police Professional Driver Programme.
12. I have 16 years of experience as a Police Officer in the New Zealand Police, eight of which as a specialist traffic officer on the Auckland Motorways. I also worked as a crash analyst on the Waitematä and Counties Manukau Serious Crash Units.
13. During this time, I have attended and investigated approximately 1000 crashes, of which 300 were serious injury and fatal crashes.
14. I have attended and completed the following Crash Analysis & Training Consultants Pty Ltd courses:
 RAIS01A Identify and Gather Evidence
 RAIS02A Analyse and Report on Evidence
 RAIS07A Analyse Commercial Vehicle Collisions
 CSI003A Conduct Crash Analysis
 CSI006A Gather, Analyse and Interpret Pedestrian and Bicycle-involved crashes
 RCIMOT503A Analyse Motorcycle Collisions
 RCIPHY505A Apply Physics to Road Crash Investigation
 RCICRU501A Conduct Crash Analysis using CRUSH application
15. I have attended and completed the following Accident Analysis & Reconstruction Inc (USA) courses.
 Advanced Crash Reconstruction utilising crash data retrieval (airbag module)
 Crash Data Retrieval Update Course 2018
 Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle/Drones (UAV) for aerial forensic mapping 2018
 Use of the Pix4D software package with UAV forensic mapping 2018
16. I am qualified to use the Vericom 3000 and 4000 Accelerometers to obtain road surface acceleration measurements and drag factors.
17. I have attended and completed the NZ Institute of Highway Technology Skid Resistance Principles for Road Networks course.
18. As the Supervising Instructor for crash investigation, I was the national trainer for the New Zealand Police, and I developed and instructed the following courses:
 NZ Police Forensic Mapping Course
 NZ Police Basic Crash Investigation Course
 NZ Police Friction Supply Testing and Theory
 Crash Analysis Case Review and Expert Witness Code of Conduct
19. I delivered the following courses under licence from Crash Analysis & Training Consultants Pty Ltd (Australia) courses:
 RCIREP402A Analyse and Report on Evidence Course
 CSI003A Conduct Crash Analysis
 CSI008A Analyse Commercial Vehicle Collisions
 CSI006A Gather, Analyse and Interpret Pedestrian and Bicycle-involved crashes
 RCIMOT503A Analyse Motorcycle Collisions
 Bosch Crash Data Retrieval Technician

20. Before my Police service, I spent eight years as an Avionics Technician with the Royal New Zealand Air Force. It is a university-level qualification ranging from electrical to advanced electronic systems and general engineering skills.
21. I am a Child Restraint Technician/Assessor and Trainer. I have been directly involved in child restraint installation and crash dynamics since 2013. I have installed hundreds of child restraints in a private capacity and at roadside checkpoints.
22. In my time with the police, I was the police subject matter expert in child restraints. In addition, I investigated and prepared several reports for other crash analysts concerning serious injury and fatal child restraint crashes.
23. On leaving the police, I continue to provide expert reports to the police.

28/10/2022

I was involved in this car seat episode giving my expert opinion. As a crash analyst, I have produced several expert reports regarding child restraints when in and out of the police for the courts.

The outcome of my investigation and conclusions for the seat involved was disappointing and shocking.

23/10/2022

As someone who does actually carry out research in my role as a crash analyst who prepares and gives evidence for courts, poorly made and incorrect images like this frustrate me. This article is just plainly incorrect and was disproven years ago. Yet it still appears even on store pages and techs. The chest clip is a legacy item that is part of the US standard, and its effectiveness has been found lacking. Googling something is not research. Ask yourself who is giving this information, do they actually have any skills in the subject. The majority of these images around child restraints are not accurate or fact-based.

24/09/2022