Bonneville

[papooses]

My sister-in-law drives a 1999 Pontiac Bonneville. Her 8 year old daughter [just a whisp at less than 70 pounds] sits in the rear-center seat with only a lap belt. I've tried giving her information about all that, but she & my brother both just say they don't believe in it because we're still all here today after riding when infant seats were not mandatory & after riding in the back of pickups on a daily basis, etc. etc. However, they looked up the crash test info at NHTSA for some reason & it gives the rear side impact only 2 stars -- more support for them as to why their daughter must sit in the middle without a shoulder strap. They took her out of a car seat at barely 4 years old & are deadset on not puting her in a booster of any kind now after all this time [even though she's very comfortable in my stepdaughter's Britax Bodyguard, both girls being the same size] ... isn't she actually safer on the side because she'll have the shoulder strap? I thought frontal impacts were worse or more common??? Any ideas as to how I can convice someone so "hardheaded"?! :mad:

[CPSDarren]

The safest place for that child is in the rear seat. They could be in a booster in the outside position with a shoulder belt, or in an extended weight restraint installed with the lapbelt in the center (Nania Airway, Britax Husky, etc). They should not be in the center seat using only a lapbelt.

If they are concerned enough to visit the NHTSA site for crash test information, you should tell them the NHTSA also has a great section on child passenger safety. It recommends kids be in boosters until 8 years old or 4'9" tall. If the safety of their children isn't enough reason, many states require proper restraint in a booster by law.

I hope that helps!

[papooses]

I wish that would help them, Darren.... I sent them on to the NHTSA site for the child passenger safety info & they just don't care :( Ignorance is bliss kinda thing? *SIGH* I even offered to give them my stepdaughter's Britax Bodyguard [since she so rarely rides with us] & they laughed at me. It is enough of a disagreement in opinion that my brother chooses not to talk to me anymore @@ Guilty conscience, I think! But, maybe if I could send them some "real" information, not just "opinions" about why the rear-center lap only belt is NOT safe?

[CPSDarren]

This link comes to mind offhand. I'm sure others have more:

http://www.chop.edu/traumalink/download/2004/pcps_cpsreport.pdf

[MyLittleTyke]

Here is another good site that might be of some help.
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/lapbelts.aspx

Also:
http://www.eastlakefirerescue.com/elweb/seat_belt_syndrome.htm

Good luck. I hope you are able to help them "see the light." I have done everything to convince my SIL to put my niece back in a booster, and start transporting her 2 kids (ages 13 and 8) in the van, not the truck. Despite having a 94 Dodge Caravan, with lap and shoulder belts in the rear seat, they transport their kids in the 03 Ford something or the other that has side facing jump seats in the back. UGH!

Sara

[papooses]

Thank you so much!

[papooses]

My niece now rides behind the front passenger seat -- I guess she's tall enough that she passed the 5 Step Test. I also gave her some of the pictures & explained why she needs the shoulder strap, mentioned that here in NY there is a law pending which states that children under 16 cannot put their belt under the arm or behind the back ... she was really interested & said she would tell all her friends! Smart kid ;)