Two RF Questions

lisamichelle53

Is RF best when it come to head-on collisions? 

 

Or is being rear-ended more probable?  Thanks! 

PiRSquared330

from what I've read, its always best. Its about where the support is. That doesn't change depending on where you are hit.

CourtneyS24

I don't remember the exact statistics but I remember reading getting rear-ended is much more probable as well as having the most impact.

ZacksBride

CourtneyS24:

I don't remember the exact statistics but I remember reading getting rear-ended is much more probable as well as having the most impact.

MeghanF13

You are more likely to get rear-ended than in a head-on collision. BUT, people rarely suffer severe or life threatening injuries from being rear-ended because there is less force, with one car usually stationary, or at least at slower speeds (usually happens when one person is stopped). A head-on collision is usually severe because both vehicles are usually travelling at high speeds and come to a sudden stop when they hit. RFing is the safest position for a child under 2 years old.

ZacksBride

CourtneyS24:

I don't remember the exact statistics but I remember reading getting rear-ended is much more probable as well as having the most impact.

I don't think this is true at all.  Rear facing is always safest, however the most benefit comes when in a front end collision because the force of the collision will cause baby to be cradled in the rear facing carseat. If child is FF in a front end collision, the head/arms/etc are all pulled forward, making them much less safe.

By the same idea, in a rear end collision, the impact will cause baby to move away from a RF carseat, so technically FF would be safer.  However, something like 70% of crashes are front end collisions, and a much much lower percentage are rear end collisions, supporting RF.  Also, most front end collisions happen at high speeds, while rear end ones are usually low speed with one car stopped or almost stopped, so they are much less likely to be fatal.

 

jenkm

Actually, it's the opposite - kids are safer front-facing if hit from behind, but statistically you're more likely to be in a crash with front or side impact:

 "In short, if your child is rear-facing, he has optimal protection in the types of crashes you are most likely to be in. If he is forward-facing, he may have optimal protection in a rear-end crash, but statistically, that is the least likely to happen and he is 60% more likely to be injured or killed in the types of crashes (frontal, side impact) you are most likely to be in."

https://www.cpsafety.com/articles/stayrearfacing.aspx

 

CourtneyS24

ZacksBride:

CourtneyS24:

I don't remember the exact statistics but I remember reading getting rear-ended is much more probable as well as having the most impact.

I don't think this is true at all.  Rear facing is always safest, however the most benefit comes when in a front end collision because the force of the collision will cause baby to be cradled in the rear facing carseat. If child is FF in a front end collision, the head/arms/etc are all pulled forward, making them much less safe.

By the same idea, in a rear end collision, the impact will cause baby to move away from a RF carseat.  However, something like 70% of crashes are front end collisions, and a much much lower percentage are rear end collisions, supporting RF.  Also, most front end collisions happen at high speeds, while rear end ones are usually low speed with one car stopped or almost stopped.

 

You're right! Sorry, I had that mixed up.

MeghanF13

I was wrong - front end collisions are more likely. But everything else I said is true. Please visit https://www.car-safety.org/rearface.html for more information if you are trying to make a decision.

lisamichelle53

Thanks everyone, I've always wondered about that.  I also found this info to share. 

? A rear-facing car seat supports the entire head, neck, and back in a head-on collision.

? In a head-on crash, the restraint cradles and moves with the child, reducing stress to the neck and spinal cord.

? It is the shell of the car seat itself that absorbs the forces in a head-on crash. 

Todd&Laura

PiRSquared330:

from what I've read, its always best. Its about where the support is. That doesn't change depending on where you are hit.

This

melody921

RF is supposed to be best no matter what type of collision bc LO's head won't fly as far.