New side-impact rules for child car seats are delayed indefinitely

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will not enforce new side-impact safety standards for child car seats. This means manufacturers do not have to redesign their products to meet the new rules for now.

For years, child car seats have had strict front- and rear-impact safety standards, but no specific rules for side impacts. This new standard was supposed to close that gap, making car seats safer in a common type of crash. The delay means children will continue to ride in seats that have not been specifically tested or designed for side-impact protection.