Safe Speed Forums

for a child in a forward facing seat which is safer, the front or back ?

Primary safety first. You're less likely to be distracted to the point of crashing if the kid is in the front.

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Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety

Are we talking about 'child seats' or children being sat in normal seats?

As SS, I'd favour the front for 'child seat', as that way you can see if the little buggers are undoing the straps! Sometimes the front passenger air bag needs to be de-activated (often just a button on dash) or checked that it will not impact the child if deployed when using the 'child seat' as a restraint. I'm not sure of the guidelines on this so better check, and schools of thought undoubtedly vary. If in normal 3 point belts, front or rear - kids need to be big enough so that they don't just 'submarine' under the lap portion, but are actually retained by the belts (pre-tensioners help with this). Centre rear lap only belts are, a really bad idea & can cause really nasty internal injuries in some cases, better than having the kids go through the windscreen granted, but still.

Thanks for the reply

I was talking about child seats

Probably every mumpty I see has them in the back and it got me thinking

Just don't get me started on grandparents holding them on their laps

Front passenger seat airbag needs to be deactivated only in the case of rear-facing baby seats. For front-facing booster seats (which is what I think is being discussed here) air bags can function as normal.

Personally, I don't think it matters very much whether kids are in front or rear of car, so long as the belts and straps are correctly and securely fitted. Kids can distract drivers equally effectively from any position. However, some other countries have legislation restricting kids under certain ages to the rear seats.

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Keep right on to the end of the road ...

That's probably true, but the issue is that dealing with a distraction in the back takes longer. Confidence checks take longer.

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Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety

When my youngest was travelling in the car, his unique circumstances dictated he should be in the back.
I bought one of those rear view mirrors which have a sucker to attach them to the screen, and positioned it so I could see him in the rear passenger side seat. Later it served to check he had not undone straps etc. - although his older brother was able to supervise him more by that stage.

Both children used the same infant carrier / seat - the Tomy Glide 'n Ride which I believe is no longer made. It was easy to install with practice, but fiddly at first. If that was the reason to discontinue it, then it's a shame, as the concept was superb . When the youngest was transfered from Lancaster to Manchester Hospital by Taxi ambulance, the hospital used OUR Tomy seat - a testament I thought to it's suitability.

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when

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now retired

Children in the back seats of cars cause accidents, but accidents in the back seats of cars cause children

Seriously - don't know about others but I am seeing more and more kids loose ( not belted in etc) in the rear of cars.

My kids don't distract or need "confidence checks".

Not sure I would like my 2yr old within kicking distance of the gearlever though.

Mine go in the back unless there is a very good reason why they can't (large load, 5 kids there already, etc). That way an adult can sit up front and be a 2nd set of eyes for the driver. We have never had a problem with the eldest trying to remove her seatbelt and the youngest can't undo his straps.

The passenger airbag on the last car couldn't be disabled anyway.

Front doors don't have child locks. And the electric windows can only be disabled in the back.

And, with more than one, how do you choose which to go in the front and which to go in the back?

But the biggest reason is that once you start letting them in the front then you have a fight getting them in the back, then they start arguing over which one will go in the front. So you start out stressed.

We have never had problems with the kittens - they usually fall asleep at speed

When youngest was expected - we spent a lot of time looking at new car seats as we had got rid of the last one - thinking we would not have any more little "accidents" with happiest ending

There are number of seats und we have now had to buy the child safety seat for Rachael as she ist growing up nicely. So ..

baby seat ist designed for up to 12 months old. You fasten the kitten into it first - securing harness with shoulder strap flat und at or below baby's shoulders. Must be no slack. und you put blanket or shawl over child to keep her cosy. The safest spot per all the manufacturer instructions und research I read ist to the middle of the back seat

This also put child within your centre rear view mirror as well so you can flick as routine check to both car behind you und child in back seat!

Ist also reportedly safest spot in case of impact for the most precious passenger in your car. Baby should recline at 45 degree angle too.

Child safety seat should also be placed towards centre of back seat - shoulder straps at or above shoulder level und chest straps level with the armpits. Und no slack in the harness!

Booster seat - youngest rogue uses one of these nund we place this one next to Rachael's to make sure Andrew ist closer to centre at back. We tried his seat out for size with him in the shop to make sure the shoulder und lap belts fit properly und to check that his ears did not rise over top of the back seat.

When he can sit all the way in the back seat und his knees bend around edge of seat in comfort und the safety belt go across his shoulder between neck und arm und lap belt touch thighs - that is when he ist ready to travel without the booster.

Und you should never put child seat in front if passenger ise has air bag This ist fatal for baby in impact.

Und to keep them quiet und quell boredom of long haul travels.. we have sing along tapes for them, spot the numpty games, Ist papa driving at right speed games Spot the silly scamera game Spot the silly pub name und these all help naviagation und direction skills und encouraging them to take note of the drive aids road und speed awareness und reinforce their sense of safety. We have the time Papa und Mama against the motorway markers game und this also helsp check accuracy of our speedos

We have the prize for the quietest kitten game und the make up stories about the numpty behind wheel of the other car game too! it keep them amused on longest journeys to Switzerland

We also have the normal pop songs - faves on one tape or CD und they have their ipods, und walkmans as well/

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