Why is RF safer in side impact?

D

dulcita77

New member
I understand the physics of why RF is safer in a frontal or off center frontal crash.

I don't understand the difference between side impact for RF vs FF.
 
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wendytthomas

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor
Staff member
The difference is in the way the seat rotates. In a FFing seat the seat is up against the back of the backseat. It's not going to move side to side much. In a RFing seat the seat can rotate and rebound. More movement on the seat is thought to mean less movement for the child's body (which is why some people are against rear facing tethering).

Wendy
 
Evolily

Evolily

New member
The back of the seat will move towards the impact in a RFing crash, protecting the child's body. The same thing will happen FFing (although, with a tethered seat less dramatically), meaning the child's body will be exposed and moving towards the impact.
 
W

Wineaux

New member
It's preventing that very rotation which makes Rigid LATCH in a booster seat, which is not secured to the vehicle like a car seat, safer in a side impact crash. Flexible LATCH helps some, but not nearly as much as Rigid LATCH.
 
joolsplus3

joolsplus3

Admin - CPS Technician
And... most side impacts involve an element of frontal motion. Picture yourself driving through a green light at an intersection... your car is going forward, then gets hit from the side. Your bodies in the car keep going forward, then sideways toward the point of impact. In a frontal crash, the head flies forward, out of the sides of the seat, and then gets hit from the side. A rearfacing kid will be cradled and held in place in the 'bowl' of the seat shell. The seat sides will always be between the head and the door or oncoming bumper.
Britax True Side Impact Protection have undergone that 'forward then sideways' sort of crash test to make sure the head stays contained in the shell/wings when forward facing. Other companies don't exactly specify what their side impact testing is, though Sunshine Kids shows their seats in a standard 'from a standstill' side testing, which contains the head. But for the most part, rear facing seats always contain the head without extra special headwings and stuff.
 
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