Question RFing crash statistics

[smiley]

I've seen the stat that infamts are 5x safer and kids to 2 yo are 75% safer RFing. Are there any stats on RFing crash to a higher age like 3 yo??

Also is there any data on seat position? ? I can see where center is best but that's not always a choice with multiple children.

Trying to balance safety & convenience.

I need to either put my 3 yo (33 lbs 36in) Ff outboard captain chair in a Frontier 85 prob or perhaps her Blvd 70 seat can fit RF 3rd row outboard. Those are my only 2 options.

 

[bree]

Center is statistically safer, but with multiple children and trying to fit seats into a car, any child riding in an appropriately installed seat is going to be safe. Beyond center being statistically safer, there hasn't been a consistent answer as to whether the driver's side or passenger's side is safer, so I think the focus on properly installed seats is important.

If I had a carseat that I could RF a 3 year old in, I would. I think what we know of crash dynamics and anatomy of 3 year olds, I do think there is a benefit to keeping a 3 year old rear-facing. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that children riding rear-facing in their seats "as long as possible" if they fit up to 4 years old: http://www.safercar.gov/parents/RightSeat.htm

This thread looks has some of the info about the crash test dummy studies with the 3 year old dummies: http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=240428 and investigates why there are recommendations to rear-face until 4, even though there is a research study that focuses just on under 2 year olds.

 

[MommyShannon]

Why can't the 3 year old rf in the captain's chair? You can install the Britax seats fairly upright to take up less front to back space. I do have a rf seat in my 3rd row and just load through the back normally. What vehicle, seats, and kids are you trying to fit?

 

[smiley]

Already have an infant in the other captain chair and other kids can enter/exit vehicle without crawling and knocking tether. Infant seat is harder to pass under with length and that the seat isn't up on a recline angle like a convertible rf.

 

[MommyShannon]

I'd just move the 3 year old rf in the 3rd row then put an older child in the captain's chair for easy entrance. I actually have my 14 month old in the back and 3 year old in the captain's chair. The 3 year old could climb in from the front and you could buckle through the back. It's worked well for us to keep both littles rf longer.