Front vs. Back Seat?

K

kristiemlove

Guest

• Jan 26, 2007

• #1

MY daughter just turned 7 and is 52" tall. I insist that she rides in the back seat in a booster for a few more years. I have just learned her dad now lets her ride in the front seat of his truck (airbags off) because he is afraid she will hit her head on the glass in back and that would be more dangerous. I showed him how to adjust the headrest so her head is protected but we still got into a little debate. I don't see any laws about the kids not being able to ride in the front seat, but, regardless, I prefer to err on the side of caution and just keep her in back. Does anybody have any hard stats that I could show him that may sway his decision?

 

Patriot201

Car-Seat.org Ambassador

• Jan 26, 2007

• #2

I don't have any hard stats, but you are absolutely right that she should be in the backseat, in a booster, with the headrest appropriately positioned.

Even if it is not against the law (in which state do you live?), it is not safe to have her ride in the front seat if there is an acceptable seating location in the backseat.

 

K

kristiemlove

Guest

• Jan 26, 2007

• #3

We live in Dallas, Texas. Big City, Big Accidents.

 

skaterbabs

Well-known member

• Jan 26, 2007

• #4

Unless she's driving , she has no business in the front seat. A recent study showed that the back seat is over 70% safer than the front.

 

Amaris

New member

• Jan 27, 2007

• #5

Didn't I see something recentely about the age for riding in the front seat being raised from 13 to 15?? I had this problem with my FIL, so I basically asked him if he was willing to risk the life of my child, his grandchild, by depending on that little switch to turn off the airbag.....his answer was no!!! Kind of drastic yes, but it got the point across!!

 

T

thepeach80

Senior Community Member

• Jan 27, 2007

• #6

If there's a place in the back, she needs to be there. My dh's work truck is an extended cab so not much room in the back and it's often full of crap for work. When that happens, the carseat goes in the front, but the boys hardly ever ride w/ him.

ETA: Do you have that study Rebekah? Last I heard the back was safer by like 33%. I want to be current!

 

skaterbabs

Well-known member

• Jan 27, 2007

• #7

I don't remember if it was posted here, the CPS list or both. Bot it was a while ago - maybe even as much as a year.

 

Victorious4

Senior Community Member

• Jan 27, 2007

• #8

skaterbabscpst said:

A recent study showed that the back seat is over 70% safer than the front.

Click to expand...

Ooooh, I've always heard "front seat is about 40% higher risk" -- can you share your source?

 

skaterbabs

Well-known member

• Jan 27, 2007

• #9

Like I said, it was a study posted either here or the CPS list, I honestly don't recall much other than it being such a significant difference.

 

scatterbunny

New member

• Jan 27, 2007

• #10

I've also only heard the 30-40 percent safer statistic. I have a friend looking for info on this, too. I wish we knew where the source of this data was.

 

T

thepeach80

Senior Community Member

• Jan 27, 2007

• #11

Yeah, in class we were told it's 33% safer I think to ride in the back.

 

Victorious4

Senior Community Member

• Jan 27, 2007

• #12

skaterbabscpst said:

I don't remember if it was posted here, the CPS list or both.

Click to expand...

Missed this before -- the yahoo listserve is a PITA to search back in, but I would love to have the resource for my CPS week '07 article! Oh well....

 

skaterbabs

Well-known member

• Jan 27, 2007

• #13

I've said it before and I'll say it again - yahoo hates everybody. lol

I'll see if I can find it though...

 

CandCfam

New member

• Jan 27, 2007

• #14

Is this what you are looking for?

They found that occupants of the back seat are 59 percent to 86 percent safer than passengers in the front seat and that, in the back seat, the person in the middle is 25 percent safer than other back-seat passengers.

Click to expand...

 

Victorious4

Senior Community Member

• Jan 27, 2007

• #15

Aha, well, now I feel real dumb as I'm the one who totally posted that here some months ago Except, in my defense, LOL, I request details about their finding & got no response, so I'm not "gungho" about quoting it my own article -- although I have left it on windshields anonymously

 

skaterbabs

Well-known member

• Jan 27, 2007

• #16

That may well be it. I've been doing some reorganizing and haven't had time to look for it yet.