We all know that car seats should be placed rear-facing for infants and children, but what about older children? Should the car seat be moved to the front of the vehicle so that the child can ride in the seat next to the driver or passenger? When it comes to car safety, there are pros and cons to both placement options. In this blog post, we will explore each side of the argument and help you make an informed decision about which is best for your family.
When to put car seat behind driver
Putting a car seat behind the driver is typically recommended for infants and toddlers who are shorter than the driver. For children who are taller than the driver, it can be safer to put the child in the front passenger seat. There are a few reasons why this may be:
-If the rear-most air bag deploys, it will hit the car seat first, potentially saving the child’s life.
-The front passenger compartment has more room to move in an accident. This could give the passenger time to get out of their seat and help protect them from being crushed by other vehicle parts.
When to put car seat behind passenger
It is generally recommended that car seats be placed behind the passenger in a vehicle to reduce the risk of injury in a collision. However, there are exceptions to this rule, which include when the car seat is not compatible with the seating position of the driver, or when it would interfere with safety gear or operations of the vehicle. In these cases, it may be safest to place the car seat behind the driver.
When making this decision, parents should consider their child’s age and size, as well as the layout of their vehicle. Additionally, they should take into account whether or not their child will be able to use a lap restraint system if they are seated in front. If using a lap restraint system is not an option for your child, placing them in the rear-facing seat can help reduce his or her chance of being injured in a crash.
Conclusion
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best way to position a car seat depends on your individual driving style and vehicle. However, placing your car seat behind the driver is generally considered safer than in front of the passenger, as it gives you more visibility when approaching intersections and curves. Additionally, if there are children in the car who require special seating arrangements (such as a booster seat), putting the car seat behind the driver can ensure that they’re correctly positioned for optimal safety.