Sitting in between two car seats

[dimsumdaddy]

Is there any safety info on what happens to the person sitting in between two carseats? Or the effectiveness of the side bolstering of the car seats in a side impact?

In the 3rd row of my van, we have 2 seats. This leaves the middle seat open for an adult/teenager to sit, which happens.

Normally, 3 people sitting side by side would be in contact. However, since there are two hard plastic carseats, is the person sitting in the middle more prone to injury?

Also, is there any info on the actual protectiveness of the side bolsters on the chair itself?

 

[skaterbabs]

I don't have the link handy, but I believe there was a study a while back that showed a passenger between two child restraints actually had lower risk of injury in a crash, probably because of the reduced movement.

 

[safeinthecar]

As long as the center position is not a lap/only belt, they are actually at lower risk of injury than if there was just empty space next to them.

 

[StPaulMom]

I don't have the link handy, but I believe there was a study a while back that showed a passenger between two child restraints actually had lower risk of injury in a crash, probably because of the reduced movement.

I remember reading the same thing. This makes sense, of course, but I wonder if there is any info about whether those results are the same if the space between the seats is very limited. In my car, for example, my 5 year old can fit in that space but only barely, and only if she was using something like a BubbleBum booster that did not have arm rests or a back. Any thoughts?

 

[Starlight]

In order for this to be safe, there has to be a lap/shoulder belt and adequate head protection (ie, gotta have a head rest!)