Which side offers the most protection?

sb518 · Apr 20, 2011

Are the chances higher to be hit on the driver side, or passenger??

I am going to need to move DD's car seat from the center to one side of the back seat. ('04 Mitsubishi Lancer) It's getting too painful for me (herniated disc in my neck) to get her in with her seat in the center. Just wondering if one side has a lower risk than the other. I'd prefer her to be on the driver's side but I can't remember what the statisics are.

TIA!

NannyMom · Apr 20, 2011

I think it's about a 1% difference (12% vs 13% of crashes happen on that spot). And the lower (safer) is the driver's side.

LISmama810 · Apr 20, 2011

It's nearly identical. I think one side had a slightly higher risk, but the difference was so small it was inconsequential. I think it also might change from year to year.

In other words: Do whichever works best.

ketchupqueen · Apr 20, 2011

It not only changes from year to year, but from day to day, hour to hour, by city and even intersection... Do what is more convenient. Without a detailed statistical analysis of where you'll be when, you can't know, and even then, the distance would be very slight, statistically insignificant.

unityco · Apr 20, 2011

One other thing you may consider is if you street park. In that case, it's safer to take her out/put her in on the sidewalk side (which generally would be the passenger side.)

mlohry · Apr 20, 2011

We have a detached garage and hubby always pulls the van out for me every morning, so I come out of the house to the passenger side, so that's where DD sits, then I don't have to walk her all the way around our van. Convenience is how I pick.

sb518 · Apr 21, 2011

Thanks everyone

Which side offers the most protection?

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