There has recently been a lot of buzz around safety in a car with people actually taking NCAP rating seriously. This made people switch from unsafe cars to robustly built cars. But there is still a very important aspect to this whole safety spectrum that we ignore, that is child safety.
We usually see Indians making their children sit on their laps while driving a two-wheeler and even in a car this is never a concern. Well, guys wake up! Keep your loved ones safe.
Child seats which are not at all popular among Indians are very important in terms of safety and convenience as normal three-point seat belts are only suitable for adults.
So, let’s give you a little glimpse of what ISOFIX seats beholds.
What are ISOFIX seats?
ISOFIX seats are essentially the standardized child bucket seat for children. Also, these seats can be attached to the ISOFIX child seat anchors and can also be easily detached.
Back in 1997, these bucket seats were developed by a seat maker Britax-Roemer in collaboration with Volkswagen. And it wasn’t until 2006 that these child seats were maintained in almost all the cars in the international market. But Still, these child seats were nowhere to be seen in the India market.
What are the types?
There are a number of different ISOFIX seats available based on the size of the child and also the quality.
There are separate categories ISOFIX child seats are categorised based on a child’s age, height and weight. The United Nations standard ECE R44/04 has listed four groups- 0, 1,2 and 3. The first group is for infants up to 15 months or up to 10 kg. These seats are rearward facing which prevents head movements during rapid deceleration.
- Group 1 seats are mostly rearward-facing, too, while front-facing is also legal. It applies to children from 9 months to 4 years and weighing 9 to 18 kgs.
- Group 2 seat is larger than a Group 1 seat and is suitable for children between ages 4 and 6 and those who weigh between 15 to 25 kg.
- Group 3 seats are also called Booster seats for children who fall between the age bracket of 4 to 10 years. The weight limit ranges from 22 to 36 kgs. Also, these seats can be used if the child is over 10 years old but does not weigh over 10 kg.
These seats are forward-facing and useful to keep the child in a secure position using an adult seatbelt. Booster seats are recommended for children until they are big enough to use a seatbelt.
Child seats, just like a motorcycle helmets, are rendered useless after an accident. This is irrespective of whether the child is in the seat or not. Child seats are usually tested for use in the event of a single crash only, and there’s uncertainty about how the restraints would perform in a subsequent crash. Owners should replace the child seat in case the car meets with an accident.
The favourite question of Indians: How much is it gonna cost?
There are several online sites that retail in ISOFIX seats. You can also source one from a baby store. Prices hover around Rs 30,000 plus mark for ISOFIX child seats by international brands such as Maxi-Cosi.
ISOFIX Mounting
Once you’ve ascertained the right child seat for your kid, fitting it to your car’s ISOFIX points is pretty simple. Firstly, locate the ISOFIX points in your car. This can be done by going through the owner’s manual or looking for the ISOFIX label on the rear seats.
In Toyota, the ISOFIX points are marked in black and located at the base of the second row of seats.
The ISOFIX connectors are two prongs at the back of the child seat or its base. Push these connectors into the ISOFIX slots on the car’s seats till you hear an audible click. These days, child seats also come with colour indicators (usually a red band that turns to green) that confirm the safe installation.
Next, attach the top-tethering belt to the designated top-tethering point in your car. Usually, some indicators depict if the tether is secured correctly. Do not use head restraints or a luggage hook to tether the seat, as these are unable to withstand the forces generated during a crash.
ISOFIX Seats In Indian Cars
The ISOFIX system isn’t considered a necessity in our vehicles, as with most safety systems. While many luxury cars in India get ISOFIX seats, we are slowly witnessing these seats in mid-size cars too. As an example, Toyota India has introduced ISOFIX seats as standard on all variants of the 2016 Etios Platinum. ISOFIX seats aren’t available in many cars at the same price.
No mandate by the Government directs car makers to offer them as standard equipment. However, as ABS is about to feature as standard in all cars sold in India, we hope to see the Government make ISOFIX seats mandatory in all cars at the earliest. Yes, our road accident-related fatality rate is alarming, and it’s about time measures are put in place to reduce this number drastically.
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FAQs
What is an ISOFIX car seat?
An ISOFIX car seat is a child seat that locks directly into fixed anchor points built into the car. Instead of relying only on the seatbelt, it connects to metal brackets between the rear seat cushions. This reduces movement. And that stability matters during sudden braking.
How do I know my car has ISOFIX?
Check the rear seat base first. Look for small tags or symbols that say ISOFIX near the seat gap. You can also check the owner’s manual. If your car is newer, especially post-2018 in India, chances are higher that ISOFIX anchors are present.
Is ISOFIX better than a seatbelt?
It is generally more secure because it reduces installation errors. Seatbelt-fitted child seats depend heavily on how tightly they are strapped. ISOFIX clicks into place. That fixed connection lowers the chance of incorrect fitting.
Why was ISOFIX illegal in Australia?
It wasn’t exactly illegal. Australia followed a different child restraint standard for years. Their system used top tether anchoring as mandatory. Eventually, regulations evolved to allow ISOFIX under local compliance rules.
Is ISOFIX actually safer?
Yes, mainly because it improves consistency. Crash safety depends on correct installation. ISOFIX reduces human error. When fitted properly, it provides better restraint control during impact.
Why is ISOFIX more expensive?
The hardware itself costs more. The car needs built-in anchor points. The child seat requires reinforced connectors. You’re paying for engineered mounting points and additional safety testing.
