Last week, Car Seats Plus had the privilege of attending the BeSafe Safety Event in Oslo, joining 16 others from the UK and over 160 passionate experts, engineers, and advocates from all around Europe - all united by one mission: making car travel safer for children everywhere.

Here’s a recap of the day’s powerful insights and the speakers behind them 👇

🚸 A Safer Future for Every Family

Speaker: Magnus Tollefsen, BeSafe

Magnus opened the event by sharing BeSafe’s vision - not just for better car seats, but for long-term change in child road safety. His talk reminded us that safety is a shared responsibility between brands, retailers, and families. We’re proud to play our part.

🧠 Education First: Empowering Parents & Professionals

Speaker: Silje Kristine Hansen, Trygg Trafikk

Silje highlighted how education is the first line of defence in child passenger safety. From launching a new online seat finder to placing posters in childcare settings, Norway is taking steps we hope to see in the UK. Her message was clear: informed parents make safer choices.

❌ Misuse: 20 Years of Data We Can’t Ignore

Speaker: Gerd Müller, TU Berlin

Gerd broke down two decades of research into car seat misuse - a topic that hits close to home for us. He explained the difference between:

• Intentional misuse (e.g., turning a seat too soon for comfort or convenience)

• Accidental misuse (e.g., inherited seats with no manual or misunderstood installation)

Worryingly, misuse is more likely in poor weather and on short trips like the school run. One key takeaway? Many children are moved to the next stage seat far too early — often because of confusion or cost.

 

💡 Beating Misuse Through Smart Design

Speaker: Clarissa von Kleist, BeSafe

Clarissa showed how BeSafe are building clever safeguards into their seats - like the Beyond range that only allows forward facing once the headrest is at the right height. No more easy-to-miss levers. No more “cheating the system.” Just safer designs that protect your child - even when you’re in a rush.

📈 Rising Misuse in Older Children

Speaker: Alice Dona-Mitu, Children Car Safety Foundation (Romania)

Alice shone a light on a growing problem: misuse in children aged 4+. The most common causes?

• Parents think their child has outgrown their seat (when they haven’t)

• High prices pushing families to switch too soon

• Children saying they’re uncomfortable

Her message: there are longer-lasting, safer options - and it’s up to us as retailers to help parents find them.

🧪 Crash Testing: What Goes Into That ADAC Score

Speaker: Andreas Ratzek, ADAC

Ever wondered what makes a “good” car seat score? Andreas broke it down:

• 50% Safety

• 40% Ease of use

• 10% Ergonomics

ADAC tests hundreds of seats every year — often unannounced — and their research has directly helped reduce fatalities in Germany. One alarming insight: head and brain injuries are still the most common in both toddlers and older children, often linked to incorrect use or premature switching.

⚙️ Why Levelling Technology Matters

Speaker: Okke van Mourik, BeSafe

Modern seats often boast lie-flat functions - but not all vehicle seat angles are the same. Okke explained how this can lead to dangerous recline angles and greater neck force in crashes. BeSafe’s Universal Levelling Technology ensures the seat is at the correct angle every time, no matter the car. A small detail that can make a huge difference.

🔄 The Science Behind Extended Rear Facing

Speaker: Emily Udmann, VTI (Swedish Plus Test)

Emily presented the life-saving science behind extended rear-facing travel. She explained the Swedish Plus Test - the world’s toughest crash test, focused on neck loads. Out of over 350 seats tested, only 51 have passed. This gold standard ensures your child isn’t just “legal” - they’re truly protected.

🧬 The Future: Virtual Crash Testing with Human Body Models

Speakers: Daniele Speziani (Phitec) & Okke van Mourik (BeSafe)

Traditional crash test dummies are rigid. But real children aren’t. Daniele and Okke introduced Human Body Models, which will allow testing that simulates internal organs and soft tissues — not just bones. It’s a game-changer in the making.

🔁 Final Thoughts from the Experts

The event wrapped up with a roundtable Q&A - and one clear theme echoed across every session:

✅ Collaboration is key

✅ Education is essential

✅ Rear-facing travel saves lives

Why This Matters for You

At Car Seats Plus, we don’t just sell car seats. We stay informed, trained, and up to date with the latest science and safety standards - so you don’t have to second-guess what’s best for your child.

Whether you’re booking a fit check in our Norfolk showroom or ordering online, you can be confident that you’re getting expert-backed advice and the safest seats available.

💬 Got questions? Message us any time.

📍 Local to Fakenham? Pop in for a hands-on demo.

🚚 Not local? We ship UK-wide with full support before & after you buy.

Let’s make every journey a safer one - together. 💜