When we talk about safety on the road, and more so when it comes to the safety of children and babies, all precautions are few. Traditionally, the seat of the smallest was adjusted to the rear of the vehicle using the seat belt. However, this system was not entirely safe and, in fact, in the event of an accident, it did not guarantee that the baby seat would remain in its correct attachment point.
However, currently the so-called ISOFIX system has become popular, an alternative system that provides many more guarantees for the safety of children.
What is the ISOFIX system and how does it work?
The ISOFIX system is an ISO standard (ISO 13216), that is, it is an approved and standardized system that is identical in all the vehicles in which it is installed. Specifically, this approved system is intended for the fastening of baby seats, and can be found in the rear seats of vehicles.
The ISOFIX system is made up, broadly speaking, of a pair of metal rings or anchors that are incorporated as standard in the vehicle itself and that serve as fastening points for the child seat, which allows you to avoid having to use the seat belt. of rear seat passengers. In addition to these two anchorages that are located in the lower part of the backrest of the rear seats of the vehicle, the ISOFIX system also incorporates a third hook that can be placed in two different places:
- or on the top and back of the seat
- or in the lower part directly in front of the seat, where the main anchors are located
In this way, the seat fits into the central anchors and is then placed with a third attachment point at one of these two points. In this way, it is ensured that the seat does not move or move in the event of a collision or traffic accident.
It is, by far, the safest system when it comes to driving with small children in the vehicle, so if you have babies or small children in the family, it is best to opt for a vehicle that has this fastening system, since it makes a big difference in terms of road safety for the little ones.
Which cars have ISOFIX system and from what year
One of the problems when it comes to knowing if the vehicles incorporate the ISOFIX system or not is that, currently, the use of this system is optional. In 2017, the European regulation R129 was modified, which is responsible for guaranteeing the safety conditions of minors in vehicles. After the modification, the recommendation was incorporated that vehicles, especially newly manufactured ones, incorporate the ISOFIX system from the factory for the best fastening of baby seats in cars.
However, because it is a recommendation and not an obligation, a standard cannot be established on which cars and which do not incorporate it. In this way, it is possible to find vehicles that do incorporate it as standard, others that do not and, in many cases, others that have the option of installing it as an extra in the choice of car characteristics when it is carried out. the purchase.
How can I know if my car has an ISOFIX system?
The only way to know if a vehicle has the ISOFIX system incorporated is to consult it in the manual of the vehicle in question. The manual must include everything related to the equipment of the car, which must also include everything related to the safety systems, including those related to baby seats in the rear seats.
However, another of the easiest ways to find out if the ISOFIX system is incorporated into a vehicle is simply to look for it. We must not forget that this system is based on a system of anchorages that is visible if the cushions of the rear seats are slightly separated, as well as it is easy to see the third anchorage in the upper rear part or in the lower front part of one of the seats. the seats in the rear of the vehicle are usually located in the center seat.
Finally, this system is usually indicated with a type of logo or symbol that is usually located in the part close to the anchors of the system itself or, on other occasions, on the upper sun visor of the passenger seat or the dashboard of the vehicle.
