Myth #5: A child is safer riding in the back seat. (It may be the law, but is it actually safer?)
Fact: Seems to make sense, doesn’t it? But interestingly, studies have shown that a parent distracted by a child in the back seat is MORE likely to have an accident in the first place. The logic goes like this: up front, it is simply easier for a parent to keep an eye on a child while also keeping an eye on the road. Considering that I have twin 6-year olds, I wonder how this would work? To me it would be added distraction to have one in the front and one in the back.
But perhaps it would keep them both from ramping each other up. Hmmmm….gotta consider that one. Or maybe the study logic stops short of having only one child in the car at a time. Right!…like that’s ever gonna happen! (Single-mom talking, here) In any case, it is arguably smarter to take steps to avoid having a car accident to begin with than it is to decide on how best to soften the impact of a car accident that is more likely to happen as a result of distracted driving. Law aside for a moment, think about what car scenario would provide the least amount of distraction for you.
But remember, if you do choose to put a child in the front seat, you might have to defend that choice to a police officer and more importantly, make sure that the front seat passenger air bags (front & side) are turned off, as the air bag could easily kill your child, which is pretty much beside the whole point. Obviously, If the front passenger air bag cannot be turned off, then the kid needs to be in the back, for sure.
If you’re a WA resident, here’s how the child seat law reads:
Effective June 1, 2007, children less than eight years old must be restrained in child restraint systems, unless the child is four feet nine inches or taller. A child who is eight years old or older, or four feet nine inches or taller, must be properly restrained either with the motor vehicle’s safety belt or an appropriately fitting child restraint system. Children under thirteen years old must be transported in rear seats where it is practical to do so.The fine for improperly restrained children in motor vehicles is at least $112 per child.
For more information on choosing the safest seat for your child, please call 1-800-BUCK-L-UP toll-free.