CRS
Senior Community Member
I am not wanting to start an "argument" lol, but I am just wondering if anyone has ever heard about a booster seat being better then a 5 pt. harness, for children that can fit in boosters properly of course. Now, this is going to be a weird concept for some especially because I know almost everyone here is very passionate about extended harnessing..
But, I have heard, (and I'm not saying that this is right, nor am I saying it is wrong). That in a frontal impact it is better for a child who can fit in a booster seat with an adult belt, to use one - then it would for them to be in a 5 pt. harnessed seat. Now, ok, hands down in a roll over or side impact you'd want to be in a 5 pt. harness. But as I said, I've heard that for a frontal impact - booster seat is best.
See I couldn't understand it myself at first or even think of a reason why it would be better but.. and admittedly it sort of made sense to me.. the theory was that when your torso is completely restrained by a harness, this puts more load/force on to your neck when you are in a frontal crash. Where as, if you are using an adult belt, that helps your head move more in unison with your body, hence there being less load/force on the neck.
I just thought I would put this out there NOT as an excuse to "graduate" to a booster to early, absolutely not. But, to see if anyone else has ever heard of this? It's a European/Swedish concept and with the Swedish history of safety, especially car seat safety, it is definitely interesting.
Oh and... please have an open mind LOL
But, I have heard, (and I'm not saying that this is right, nor am I saying it is wrong). That in a frontal impact it is better for a child who can fit in a booster seat with an adult belt, to use one - then it would for them to be in a 5 pt. harnessed seat. Now, ok, hands down in a roll over or side impact you'd want to be in a 5 pt. harness. But as I said, I've heard that for a frontal impact - booster seat is best.
See I couldn't understand it myself at first or even think of a reason why it would be better but.. and admittedly it sort of made sense to me.. the theory was that when your torso is completely restrained by a harness, this puts more load/force on to your neck when you are in a frontal crash. Where as, if you are using an adult belt, that helps your head move more in unison with your body, hence there being less load/force on the neck.
I just thought I would put this out there NOT as an excuse to "graduate" to a booster to early, absolutely not. But, to see if anyone else has ever heard of this? It's a European/Swedish concept and with the Swedish history of safety, especially car seat safety, it is definitely interesting.
Oh and... please have an open mind LOL