Analysis of a fatal crash event involving a van the lost its grip on the ice-covered road surface, crossed into the opposite lane and collided head-on with an estate car of approximately the same weight, fully laden with passengers. The investigation showed that the back of the rear seat was severely deformed, despite being reinforced and well within the regulatory strength requirements described in UN-ECE R17.

16. The expert from Norway introduced a presentation (GRSP-69-06) concerning the main findings of a report (GRSP-69-02) from the Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (NSIA) related to a high-speed frontal road-collision. He added that the car collision occurred between a passenger car and a van and that two passengers seating in the rear seat row died during the collision also due to the luggage displacement, while frontal seating passengers sustained minor injuries. The expert from Consumer International (CI) proposed that more stringent requirements for rear seat strength should be introduced into the UN Regulation. The expert from EC stated his intention to study the case and report at the next GRSP sessions. The expert from OICA argued that crash speed (80 km/h) of the reported accident was beyond the speed considered into the UN Regulation. Moreover, he suggested that also harmonized international traffic rules on the obligation of securing luggage should be pursued. GRSP agreed to resume discussion on this subject and defer discussion on GRSP-69-34 at its December 2021 session.

14. The expert from Norway introduced a proposal of amendments (GRSP-70-27) to improve the test procedure for protection for the occupants against the displacement of luggage. He clarified that the proposal stemmed from findings of a report (GRSP-69-02) of the Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (NSIA) on a high-speed frontal road-collision, introduced at the May 2021 session of GRSP. The expert from CLEPA argued that there was no evidence that seat-strength improvement would prevent situations like those shown by the expert from Norway and that the problem seemed more related to submarining. The expert from the Netherlands added that the accident shown occurred at high speed. He underlined that the problem was a mismatch between UN Regulation No. 14 and 17, because it does not cover the situation when an occupant is seating in the rear centre position and there was luggage in the boot. The expert from OICA also stressed the very high severity of this particular accident and that, since the current UN Regulation No. 17 requirements were introduced, real world data do not seem to indicate problems; he also suggested to understand better this specific issue and to collect more evidence. GRSP agreed to resume consideration at its next sessions on the basis of GRSP-70-27 and accident data and keep GRSP-70-27 as an informal document for the May 2022 session.

Proposal to introduce requirements to position test dummies in the rear seating positions, including a 50th percentile male ATD in the middle position, under the dynamic test.

14. The expert from Norway introduced a proposal of amendments (GRSP-70-27) to improve the test procedure for protection for the occupants against the displacement of luggage. He clarified that the proposal stemmed from findings of a report (GRSP-69-02) of the Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (NSIA) on a high-speed frontal road-collision, introduced at the May 2021 session of GRSP. The expert from CLEPA argued that there was no evidence that seat-strength improvement would prevent situations like those shown by the expert from Norway and that the problem seemed more related to submarining. The expert from the Netherlands added that the accident shown occurred at high speed. He underlined that the problem was a mismatch between UN Regulation No. 14 and 17, because it does not cover the situation when an occupant is seating in the rear centre position and there was luggage in the boot. The expert from OICA also stressed the very high severity of this particular accident and that, since the current UN Regulation No. 17 requirements were introduced, real world data do not seem to indicate problems; he also suggested to understand better this specific issue and to collect more evidence. GRSP agreed to resume consideration at its next sessions on the basis of GRSP-70-27 and accident data and keep GRSP-70-27 as an informal document for the May 2022 session.

17. GRSP agreed to suspend consideration of GRSP-70-27 at its next sessions, which proposed to amend the test of devices to protect occupants against displacement of luggage, due to the lack of additional data and interest by GRSP experts on this subject and to remove this item from the agenda of its next sessions for the time being.