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The use of booster cushions by children more than 3 years old is a relatively new behaviour in FRANCE. In fact, the restraint of children in systems adapted to their age and anthropometry, has only been mandatory since January 1st, 1992. The french car manufacturers have tested, during the last years, a great number of boosters in a car environment. In particular a comparative study between “simple” cushions and boosters with a back-rest -in order to satisfy parents requiring better comfort for their children- has been undertaken. On the basis of these tests, the manufacturers have made a selection for their cars, according to a certain number of criteria which will be described. It it well known that the main advantage of boosters is to be very easy of use. A complementary accidentological analysis made recently in FRANCE reveals however some problems of injuries linked to misuse of these restraint systems. Studies are in progress in order to assess consequences of these misuses.

In frontal impact, the occupantlbelt interaction is essential to obtain a good simulation of the occupant dynamic behaviour. Nevertheless, current mathematical models do not allow a realistic representation of this interaction to be obtained. Especially they are not adapted to simulate two important phenomena: the chest and pelvis deformation under the belt loading, and the belt sliding on the occupant. This paper deals with a tridimensional finite element model which allows an improved simulation of this interaction. The Hybrid III dummy, restrained by a 3-point retractor belt, was aimed, with a finite element program (RADIOSS). The model consisted of two parts: a deformable part representing, by means of springs and shell elements, the belt system, the thorax and the- pelvis; a rigid part representing, with rigid shell elements, the other components of the system. The belt was simulated by shell elements with a elasto-plastic material law.