What exactly is the point of a LATCH system?

[Unregistered]

I thought that it was safer for the car seat to be attached by the LATCH rather than the seat belt. But the more I read it seems like maybe the LATCH system is just more for ease of installation of car seats. Can someone clear this up for me?
Thanks!

[Unregistered]

It is supposed to be an easier way of SAFELY installing carseats

[mamamia]

LATCH stands for lower anchors and tethers for children. THe lower anchors do make installation easier than belt installation in some cars. Whichever method gives the better installation is the safer method for that combination of vehicle and child restraint. Since upwards of 80% of seats are installed improperly the lower anchors may be resulting in a lower misuse rate since for the most part lower anchor installation is more straight forward than belt installation.


The "tether" part is a safety issue. Harnessed seats now all come with a top tether for forward facing use. The use of a top tether significantly reduces the amount of forward head excursion (and therefore head/neck injury) in a crash. The use of top tethers will decrease injury as compared to the same seat in the same accident without the use of the top tether.

[Unregistered]

Okay, thank you, I was confused. I thought that the LATCH was supposed to be safer, but I guess it just makes it easier to ensure that the seat is installed correctly. After I posted my question I found that the seat would not fit in the center of my backseat anyway. Oh well.

[Unregistered]

I originally asked the question because I wanted to put my DD in the center of my back seat where there is no LATCH attachments. They are only on the two outboard seats, but since she doesn't fit in the middle anyway I guess it's not an issue. Thanks for answering my question though, it's good to know for the future!

[CPSDarren]

LATCH is new, and manufacturers are still working on many issues. These include compatibility, seating positions and ease-of-use. Hopefully, in another 15 years when most vehicles have LATCH, the designs of cars and carseats will have improved significantly and LATCH WILL be safer and easier to use in most cases.

Also:

http://www.car-safety.org/latch.html