Why is WC19 needed?
Providing a safe ride for motor-vehicle occupants, including their protection in a vehicle crash, is a “systems” problem. The “system” involves the vehicle, the occupant, the seat, the seat anchorage, and the occupant restraint system. For vehicle occupants who remain seated in a wheelchair in a motor vehicle, the wheelchair becomes the vehicle seat and the seat anchorage is the wheelchair tiedown or securement system. If the seat or wheelchair is not effectively secured to the vehicle, or if the wheelchair breaks during a crash, then the occupant-restraint system cannot provide effective restraint.