Car Seats in Side Crashes: USA Today Article

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Hello All,

I thought some of you might be interested in reading this:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...ldsafety_x.htm

[mamamia]

More evidence to support my decision to put my girls in Wizards. I get more comments than you could imagine for getting my 3 year old a convertible over a booster...

[joolsplus3]

Thanks, that's a good article

[CPSDarren]

Insist on side curtain airbags in all seating rows if you purchase a new vehicle!

[mamamia]

so glad I opted for those side curtain airbags. I feel pretty safe up front with an airbag at my front, side and head....

I have an older minivan w/no side curtain airbags. Where should I seat everyone?

I drive a '99 Mercury Villager. Right now I have DS #2 RF in an Advantage behind the drivers seat. DS #1 (12yo) sits next to him. This is a "least protected child, in a more protected spot" logic. I have DD #2 FF in a Marathon in the rear middle (lap belt spot). DD#1 (10yo) sits outboard next to DD#1.

I'll need to get a new seat(s) sometime anyway (for the second car). What about a WZ for the baby (then using the Advantage for the second car)? I think DD has a year left in her MA (but she should be fine because she's in the middle. I should probably get a BG for DD#2 for the second car though (since I'm guessing the baby will be in the center rear, and she'll be outboard) Seems like DD#1 is in a bad spot, but there's really no other option right?

[CPSDarren]

If the seats fit well, you could also consider moving DD#2 FF to the outboard rear spot so DD#1 can sit in the middle. The Marathon should provide a lot more side impact protecton than a seatbelt alone. Keep in mind that most carseats with a 5-point harness provide reasonable side impact protection.

If you are buying a new seat anyway, a Wizard would be handy for the baby in an outboard second row spot. You get the added side impact protection and ease of loading/unloading, too.

Again, I think your arrangement is fine as it is as long as everyone is properly restrained. It's great that they are all in the back for safety!

that would leave DD#1 in a lap belt (remember, this is a 1999 van, 6 of the seats have shoulder belts and headrests, one has neither, that's why the MA is there now).

[CPSDarren]

I missed the lap belt comment, sorry! You are absolutely correct!

[Tamie]

Trish,

I have a '98 Villager, and my configeration is very similar to yours. My 4-year-old DD is in the third row center in a Marathon. My 6-year-old DS is second row driver outboard in a Bodyguard. My 10-year-old DS is second row passenger outboard in the lap/shoulder belt.

We've tried ALL manner of seating arrangements in this van and are happiest with this one, for many different reasons. I feel very good about everyone's safety.

Now if I could stop lusting over the '04 Sienna, which DD and I test-drove today, and focus on the fact that the Villager is paid for, has a lot of life left in it and is driven locally, I'd be in a perfect frame of mind.

Tamie - mom of three, tech and always wanting what she doesn't have