Safety of kids in convertable cars?

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DogznKatz

Active member
I am not sure of links, but she should consider the fact that convertible cars are exempt from having top tethers.

We know that when crash tested, a top tether must reduce head excursion to at least 28" (from the 32" standard without a top tether).

A convertible car obviously doesn't have the structural integrity in the roof which can put all occupants in danger in a rollover.

I am not sure how and if side curtain airbags, (or lack of) may affect occupants.

I would look at the IIHS website and see if they have any info. Personally, I would not consider a convertible car as an option especially for a forward facing harnessed child.

I found this: http://www.edmunds.com/convertible/before-buy.html and this (7 years old): http://money.cnn.com/2006/08/03/autos/convertible_issues/
 
Last edited:

emandbri

Well-known member
They ended up renting a car so they didn't have to use the convertible of family they were visiting. He is rear-facing but good point about the tethers.
 

LISmama810

Admin - CPS Technician
I have never heard of convertibles being exempt from top tethers. The ones i have installed in have always had

They're not restricted from having them, but they're not required to. In some cases, it just isn't possible depending on the design of the car.
 

CarSafetyGuy

New member
It's also worth remembering that pretty much no convertibles have roof ratings, for reasons you can imagine. That essentially turns any rollover into a fatal one in most convertibles.
 

tl01

New member
If the convertible has rollover protection, I would be okay with a letting my child ride in it. Convertibles usually are lower to the ground and have a lower center of gravity and are less likely to flip over. Also, some have folding hard tops plus the roll over protection... So that's a risk I would be willing to take.
 

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