What do you use on a taxi?

twinmommie · Jan 29, 2009

This has bothered me for a while. We live in the Chicago suburbs. On two occasions I have needed to take a taxi with the kids. The law in Illinois says that commercial vehicles are exempt from car seat laws... but that doen't make them safe, just legal!

What do you use for taxis? I can't drag two car seats with me on the train to the city, through museums, parks, etc.... suggestions?

As the kids are now 4 1/2, we venture to the city more than we used to and we will probably need to use taxis again!

An Aurora · Jan 29, 2009

With 4 year olds I would get 2 vests

tanyaandallie · Jan 29, 2009

You are right. Just because the taxi is exempt from car seat laws does not mean that it is safe for your kids to go without. A good option for you might be the Ride Safer Travel Vest. I'm assuming most taxi's have lap/shoulder belts? I don't live in an area where we take them often!! Another option would be to take a booster seat but I would choose the RSTV over the booster simply b/c it takes up less room!

J-max · Jan 29, 2009

Yup, RSTVs! We travel several tims/year and get the RSTVs almost a year ago. They are great for in taxis!

twinmommie · Jan 29, 2009

I was looking for the vests and I just saw ez on 86 Y on one of the web sites. Has anyone used one of these? They look very portable.

crunchierthanthou · Jan 29, 2009

twinmommie said:
I was looking for the vests and I just saw ez on 86 Y on one of the web sites. Has anyone used one of these? They look very portable.

the 86Y must be tethered at all times (not guaranteed in a Taxi) and requires a booster for children under 65 lbs. the RSTV can be used without a tether as long as there is a shoulder belt.

Evolily · Jan 29, 2009

Here's the ride safe travel vest http://www.safetrafficsystem.com/ :thumbsup:

I'm not sure if I would get an 86 y for travel- I think (although I'm certainly not positive) they only work with top anchors, there's no guarantee you'd have seats with top anchors. On the other hand, virtually all taxi's have lap/shoulder belts, so the RSTV would work!

ketchupqueen · Jan 29, 2009

86 Y is hard to use with lap/shoulder belts, I hear. And yes, it needs a tether. RSTV needs a tether if using with a lap-only belt.

There's also the SafeGuard GO which also uses a tether.

If you want to get a cab with tethers you can call and ask for one with a newer model year, so you're guaranteed tethers (and even LATCH if it's new enough.)

Maedze · Jan 30, 2009

I agree, for four year old children I would purchase RST Vests. The 86 Y would be significantly more complicated and I wouldn't recommend it in your situation.

If you are opposed to the cost of the vest, at the very least I would purchase two backless boosters.

Tyler'sMom1117 · Jan 30, 2009

If you did think about a backless booster the Clek Olli has a carry strap. It is very light and I could easily carry it all day. I don't know that I would want to carry 2 of them. If you can find a store locally that sells them, check it out.

What do you use on a taxi?

twinmommie

New member

An Aurora

Senior Community Member

tanyaandallie

Senior Community Member

J-max

CPST Instructor

twinmommie

New member

crunchierthanthou

New member

Evolily

New member

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Maedze

New member

Tyler'sMom1117

New member

Car-Seat.Org Facebook Group

Sponsors

Forum statistics