Question about tethering

Unregistered · Aug 13, 2009

I have a friend with a 26 month old son who is currently FF in a britax frontier. He was RF in a blvd before and she turned him around at 2 yrs old (30lbs) because she had to give the blvd to her nephew. She wanted me to ask you guys about tethering and FF. Her car only has a lap belt in the center back but no tether spot. She has the frontier installed behind the driver now but feels safer with it in the middle. Should she move the frontier to the center position without the tether? Which is safer? Outboard with tether or center without? She's concerned that if another car were to hit them diagonally, her DS will be hurt.

wendytthomas · Aug 13, 2009

The seat is perfectly safe with a lap belt only. At his age I would highly encourage tethering, though. If he's outboard he's going to do better than the middle if they're hit from the opposite side, though worse than middle if he's hit on his side. I don't know that a frontal collision would make a difference where he sat other than head excursion from tethering versus not tethering.

It's a trade off. Reduced head excursion or more protection from side impacts? I don't know that there are studies saying one is better than the other. Though frontal collisions are the most likely to be the most serious, so maybe tethering is better. But side impact collisions are the most serious, although less likely to happen, so maybe middle is best?

Can't say one way or the other. Both are safe, it's a question of which is safER.

Wendy

P1ally · Aug 13, 2009

What does she drive? Can she get a tether anchor installed in the center?

Question about tethering

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