Remind me what the rule is for which side is safest for carseat?

schmoodle · June 2011

We've always kept Toodle in the middle but I'm pretty sure our car won't fit 2 side by side so we're going to have to put them on either side if/when we install the infant seat for Boodle (knock on wood, if she arrives safely, etc.).

I thought I recalled hearing that the driver's side is safest b/c the driver instinctually will protect themselves? But then if you're making a left, the driver's side is more vulnerable, isn't it? I know there is a "rule" about this but can't remember what it is. (And I ask b/c I understand you should put the more fragile infant on the "safer" side, although it pains me immensely to think about having to put one child's safety over the other's.

craziheazo · June 2011

I have DD1 behind the driver and DD2 behind the passenger. It seems to me that was the advice when I was expecting DD2.

howleyshell · June 2011

If I remember correctly the passenger side is damaged more frequently in accidents statistically speaking.

For me it was more a matter of parking lot safety. I wanted the one who was mobile and could run into a parking lot to be able to get into the car the fastest. For us (garage, where I park at our grocery store, etc) that meant the toddler was on the driver's side and the baby always got loaded last OR if I was parked with the passenger side closest I would sometimes make the toddler get in on the passenger side and crawl across the middle of the back seat and into his car seat.

When I thought about it I was more concerned about him running away from me while trying to walk around the back of the car or while letting go of him to load the infant carrier in to the driver's side than I was about the possibility of a random accident.

BRSaugust20 · June 2011

We've had J on the passenger side because it wasn't able to be tightened enough in the middle. When we got it inspected, they said the passenger side because when you parallel park, the baby is more likely to be on the curb side of the car.

skoorbnibor · June 2011

there is data to suggest BOTH sides are safer! What that seems to mean is that statistically, there might be a slightly higher instance of accidents on each side any given year, but it can change the next. There might be less accidents on the drivers side, but perhaps accidents on the drivers side can be more serious. The date is ever changing

That said, carseat.org seems to suggest toddler on drivers side and infant on passenger

howleyshell · June 2011

I just posted a clicky poll on the 2u2 board so you can see what those Moms are doing:

https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/54571829/ShowThread.aspx

MyShellyBelly · June 2011

With our SUV (Acura MDX) and carseats, we have to have one LO in the middle and another behind the passenger seat. Our carseats (Chicco Keyfit 30's) are so big that the seats in front have to be pulled up far for the carseats to fit properly.

Both my DH and I are tall (he's 6'6" and I'm 6'0") and so the driver needs to have the seat back as far as possible to drive, so that's why we have our seats set-up the way that we do.

I was worried about it, but when we had our carseat installations checked, we we told that it was a-ok!!

alchris · June 2011

I have the baby on the passenger side and the preschooler on the driver's side because it's easier for me to see the passenger side and I knew I needed to see the baby (e.g. how she was sitting and whether she was asleep, whereas I know Kira can sit comfortably and that she'd be awake and talking!), plus loading the car feels safer as howley described. So I moved Kira over when Elena was born. Good luck!!!

dusk42 · June 2011

However you can get the best install is the safest (i.e., if you can keep him RFing on one side and not the other, etc.).

https://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=23449

PrincessShay80 · June 2011

We were told in our car seat class that it's wherever the car seat is correctly installed. We have DD behind the passenger- I have my seat all the way back so with her being rear facing its easy if she is not behind me.

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