Which is safer?

Jan06twinmom

New member
I have a which is safer - between two options that I know are not ideal or even legal.

My friend picked up our other friend's two children after school today. Their mom is home sick so our friend offer to pick them up and drop them off at home. It's about a mile or two drive from school to their home. Our friend did not have an extra booster seat in her vehicle for the 7yo.

Is is safer to put an almost 7yo child (maybe 47-48" tall - definitely too short to 5 step) in a position with a lap belt or shoulder belt?

My friend thought it would be safer to put her in the lap belt position since she thought the shoulder belt being too close to her neck would be more dangerous. I thought the shoulder belt would be safer since my understanding is that the lap belt is dangerous and can only be used safely to install a harnessed car seat. I told my friend I would ask here and get the definitive answer in case it comes up again.

Unfortunately, I didn't have my extra booster seats in the car today or I would have let her borrow it for the short drive.

Melanie
 
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LISmama810

Admin - CPS Technician
The shoulder belt being too close to the neck is a comfort issue, not a safety one. It's the ill-fitting lap belt that's going to cause internal injuries. Presuming the lap belt fit is equally bad in both cases, at least the shoulder belt will help prevent head injuries. So I'd go with the lap-shoulder belt (if I HAD to choose one).
 

SignCuer

New member
Shoulder belt is safer, period. No child or even adults should ride in a lapbelt only. There is no upper body protection. Basically in an accident, your body gets folded in half causing major damage.

Is it legal for her to ride in a car without a booster?

Shoulder belt definitely
 

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