Question Seats touching each other/sharing space?

[Mom_In_SA]

Hi. Is it allowed for seats to touch each other or 'share' space, as in if one seat is higher than the other and the second seat edge is somewhat under the first?

 

[wendytthomas]

Hi there.

It's definitely allowed provided you're not using one seat to make sure the other is tight.

Here's the MACPS statement on the subject, found as a PDF on Safe Ride New's website.

Installing 3 Car Seats Across the Back Seat
The MACPS recommends the following conditions be met when installing 3 car seats across the back seat:
a. A tight installation, as described in the instructions and CPS standardized curriculum, can be achieved.
b. The positions of the CRs on the vehicle seat are not changed by the contact. That is, they still align properly with respect to the seat belt or
LATCH anchors that secure them.
c. There is no contact or force that would bend or deform any of the CRs.
d. The LATCH lower connectors or seat belts do not cross over one another to achieve the installation.
(August 2012)

MACPS is the Manufacturers' Alliance for Child Passenger Safety.

Wendy

 

[wavegal]

Like Wendy said as long as they are independently tight it is fine. Usually that's referred to as "puzzling" the seats which is common with getting 3 across.

 

[Mom_In_SA]

Yeah, just wondering... we went to check out infant seats this week with a ff harnessed seat behind passenger and a rf convertible in the middle seat. The guy at the store who we asked to fit the third seat didnt want to - he said its not advisable to have a 3 across because the seats touch each other, and especially a carseat installed in the middle is really not advisable!

As far as I know the middle seat is supposed to be the safest position... Sigh.

 

[wendytthomas]

The middle seat is safest, all things being equal.

I'd put the forward facing child in the middle, ideally. They're the least safe, so they get the most safe position.

Wendy