Which position is safest for booster?

[Unregistered]

I'm having a hard time finding which back seat position is safest for boosters--I have a 2002 Subaru Legacy.
(would also appreciate any links to actual studies on this issue).
Thanks for the help!

[Defrost]

I'm not sure exactly what you're asking, so I apologize if my answers don't help.

All things equal, the rear center is the safest position for any passenger.

However, a booster always requires a lap/shoulder seat belt, and many vehicles don't have lap/shoulder seat belts in the center.

Also, backless boosters and Cosco high-back boosters require adequate vehicle head support, either from the height of the vehicle seat, or from a head restraint, and many vehicles don't have head restraints in the center.

There may be other requirements specific to any one booster that would also need to be followed; reading the manual is very important to insure you're using the booster correctly.

So, the rear center is only safer than the rear outboard if the booster can be used correctly in that position - the center is NOT safer if the booster is used incorrectly in that position.

Statistically, the driver's side and passenger's side have about an equal chance of being hit in a crash, so whichever side is most convenient for safely getting in and out of the vehicle is the best. For example, if you park on the street, you'd want your child on the passenger side so that he's not exiting the vehicle into traffic. Or, if your child is on the passenger side that might make it more difficult for an adult to help him buckle or check to make sure he's buckled correctly, so you'd want him on the driver's side.

[Jeanum]

Center is considered safer than outboard provided that you can achieve a proper installation there. A belt positioning booster seat (assuming that's what you mean by booster :)) requires a lap-shoulder belt to use properly, though, and not every vehicle has a lap-shoulder belt in the center rear seating position, in which it would be necessary to use an outboard (side) seating position equipped with a lap-shoulder belt. Statistically, the driver's side and passenger side are about equal with only slight variations from year to year in terms of side impact crash frequencies. If you need to use the booster outboard, you can go with whichever side is preferable for you and your family. For example, if you do childcare/school dropoffs and pickups, or if you frequently parallel park, you may prefer to have the booster on the rear passenger side.

[Jeanum]

Jinx! :-)

[Defrost]

Jinx! :-)

LOL! :D