Portland Weather Hazards

For the most part, Portland weather is predictable. Often it rains. But once in a while, weather like we're getting now comes along and causes havoc on the city - traffic accidents. So if you've been in a crash, come talk to us. At Manual Medicine & Rehabilitation, we almost exclusively treat auto injuries. Our passion is helping you get better. If you're heading out and want to check road conditions, try these links to make life easier - and safer: ODOT Traffic Cameras Traffic Cams Portland

Preventing Auto Injuries with Child Restraint Systems

In the State of Oregon, there are specific laws regulating the use of Child Restraint Systems (CRS) such as car seats and booster seats to help prevent auto injuries in children.

Oregon Regulations:

• younger than 1 year or 20 pounds or less must be in a rear facing child safety seat;
• 7 or younger: 40 pounds or less must be in a child safety seat; more than 40 pounds but 4 feet and 9 inches or less must be in a safety system that elevates the child so that an adult seat belt fits properly
• Adult safety belts are permissible for children taller than 4 feet and 9 inches; 8 through 15 years old.

Age at which children must be in a restraint or booster seat (clickable).

Please note, however, that these laws do not necesarily represent optimal restraint for children. It has been reported that 80% of children are improperly restrained in vehicles. This is due in part to a lack of knowledge on the part of parents as to what constitutes the optimal child seat/restraint system as well as a poor understanding of how to place and secure them properly.

The following are recommendations for child seat systems:

1. Rear-facing seats, which include infant and convertible seats, are used from birth to one year and 9.07 kg (20 lb). Forward-facing seats, which include 5-point harness, T-Shield, Tray-Shield, Toddler/Booster combinations, and integrated seats, are recommended for children over 1 year of age, weighing 9.07 to 18.1 kg (20 to 40 lb) and up to 101.6 cm (40 inches) or taller, as long as the child is comfortable.
2. Rear-facing convertible seats can be converted to forward facing seats. These include the 5-point harness, T-Shield or the Tray Shield.
3. Toddler/Booster combinations are considered forward facing seats while the internal harness components are used. When the child reaches the weight limits for the internal harness, the harness is removed and the seat is used to boost the child high enough so the vehicle safety belt is positioned correctly. At this point this combination seat is considered a booster seat.
4. Booster seats, belt positioning high or no back seat and shield booster seat (which is no longer recommended due to lack of upper body protection), are designed for children 18.1 kg (40 lb) and over, up to 139.7 em (4 '7" or 55 inches) tall, and able to sit still and wear the lap/shoulder belt correctly (Safety Belt Safe, 2000). The correct seat type for a specific child cannot be determined based on age alone since children grow and develop at different rates. Weight, height and developmental stage must also be considered.

Auto Injuries and Blind Spots

All vehicles have blind spots, and unfortunately, these can lead to crashes and injuries.
One of the most preventable auto related injuries occurs when children are hurt due to vehicles backing up, estimated at 50 cases per week nationally in the US. Most often these auto injuries occur around the home, and in 70% of the cases involves parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles, or sibling drivers backing into small children.
As a preventable auto injury, there are some precautions that can be taken to reduce the risk:

• Prior to backing up, walk around the vehicle.
• Educate your children to avoid playing or hiding around vehicles
• Back up camera

According to Consumer Reports and KidsandCars.org smaller cars typically have smaller blind spots.



More details and specific cars listed on those websites.

Head Restraint Geometry

As a chiropractor in SE Portland, knowing more about auto safety is important.  One important factor in preventing injuries associated with rear impact crashes is head restraint geometry. The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety has published its recommendation for backset (horizontal distance between back of head and the headrest), and topset (vertical distance from the top of the head to the top of the headrest)summarized by the following diagram:



And in the following video Adrian Lund (president of the IIHS) explains testing done to evaluate seats, seat backs, and head restraints: LINK

The implications of this are a) medical: inadequate or improperly adjusted head restraints being a prognostic factor in the recovery of an injured occupant, and b) legal: having a knowledgeable chiropractic doctor who fully understands these concepts and can explain them in the event that a patient does not fully recover (See Prognosis).

The take home message? Prevent or reduce injuries in your family and friends by adjusting the head restraint in your vehicles.

Adjust the top of the head restraint so it is at least the height of the ear-top, and with restraints that have further ability, adjust it so less than 3 inches behind the head.


And finally, if you're in a crash, come see a chiropractor in SE Portland with a passion for auto injuries.