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View Full Version : Rear seat safety compared to 2 seater

keithert
07-17-2007, 09:38 AM
I know everyone says the back seat is the safest place for a child. I'm not sure what makes it so. Is is because the structure of the trunk is right behind the seat and provides more support? I drive an 06 Mazda Miata 2 seat convertible. It has LATCH on the passenger side and also has an airbag disable switch. My 3.5 year old son rides with me at times. Why would being in the front of this car be more dangerous than the back of any other car? The car does have roll over protection behind the seats and the rear bulkhead is just behind the seats.
Jeanum
07-17-2007, 10:06 AM
It's mainly due to the higher statistical frequency of frontal crashes, and being closer to the engine compartment, dash board, windshield, windshield pillars, deploying frontal airbags, etc. in a frontal collision. Being in a rear seat vs. the front seat reduces the risk of injury or worse by a significant percentage. The majority of rear end collisions are less severe/at a slower speed, with both vehicles traveling in the same direction at the time of impact, compared to frontal crashes. (Didn't you also post about this a while ago with regard to your Jeep, or am I confusing you with another poster? :)) ETA: Ah, you were considering a Jeep Wrangler and asked a similar question, jogging my memory a bit more here :) : http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=9873
CPSDarren
07-17-2007, 11:21 AM
It's mainly due to the higher statistical frequency of frontal crashes, and being closer to the engine compartment, dash board, windshield, windshield pillars, deploying frontal airbags, etc. in a frontal collision. Being in a rear seat vs. the front seat reduces the risk of injury or worse by a significant percentage. The majority of rear end collisions are less severe/at a slower speed, with both vehicles traveling in the same direction at the time of impact, compared to frontal crashes.[/url]


Exactly right. Kids 12 and under should always be in the back seat whenever possible, based both on the frequency and severity of typical crashes and on real world fatality statistics.