The use of child safety seats is vital to the protection of child passengers in the event of an automobile accident. Unfortunately, because of improper child safety seat usage, not all children have received the protection they need. In a 1996 study, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that over 80 percent of child safety seats were installed incorrectly. To remedy this serious safety issue, the LATCH system was created. LATCH, or Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children, is a seat restraint system created to enhance the safety of child automobile passengers.
All cars manufactured after September 1, 2002 are equipped with the full LATCH system, but for cars built before this date, child seat safety capabilities vary. While the complete LATCH system requires both an upper tether anchorage and two lower tether anchorages, child safety seat capabilities in most older cars do not have these features. Since September 1, 1999, federal regulations have required that all cars be equipped with built-in top tether anchorages. After this date, virtually all high-backed car seats and convertible car seats met this requirement.
The top tether strap is vital for car seat safety because it allows for better stabilization and reduces head movement in the case of accident or collision. The strap extends from the upper back part of the child seat and connects with an anchor positioned on the rear shelf of a car's passenger seat. The majority of cars manufactured before September 1999 can be retrofitted with a car seat top tether strap at car dealerships or through car seat manufacturers. This top tether is only one part of the LATCH system, however, and it is not possible for most older cars to be retrofitted with the two lower anchors that complete the LATCH system.
Since September 1, 2002, in addition to the top anchor, all manufactured cars include two sets of lower anchors with permanently attached hooks located between the seat back and seat cushion. Using car seat belts to install child safety seats is no longer necessary as this complete LATCH system can be used alone. It is possible to refit lower anchor hooks to cars sold before September 2002 by buying and installing the separately sold LATCH kit.
All vehicles manufactured after September 2002 are equipped with the complete LATCH system in two rear seats. While the top tether capabilities available in vehicles before 1999 could only be used with front-facing child safety seats, the LATCH system can be used with all types of car seats, including front-facing, rear-facing and combination booster seats with internal harnesses. LATCH systems are not required in booster-only car seats and infant seat carriers and may thus be missing from these models.
