Carseat/booster question

Luckystar2

I don't think center is going to work with booster in either car. Dd's been in a booster (high back one) in my car for a little bit.

I thought I had read a while ago that the next safest is passenger side. But it seems like everyone else does driver side. So I was looking online the other day trying to find info and it seems mixed opinions, with nothing really difinitive that I can find. IDK if everyone just does driver side for convenience or if that really is supposed to be safer? Or is it a wash between either side? Anyone know of any research/sites with good info?

Because it would be easier just to have her on the driver side so I wouldn't mind switching if there's no benefit to passenger. And I think we will be converting to booster in dh's car soon too and need to decide on a side.

AmandaJLewis

EJ has always been on my passenger side- I can see/reach her easier when I am driving when she is over there. and if I am parked along a road, she would be getting in/out on the sidewalk side of the street.

Luckystar2

AmandaJLewis said:

EJ has always been on my passenger side- I can see/reach her easier when I am driving when she is over there. and if I am parked along a road, she would be getting in/out on the sidewalk side of the street.

Good points! I had thought about the ease of getting to her while in a car. But it would be easier when getting in and out on the driver side. For now she still needs help with the seatbelt.

I hadn't really thought of the parking along a road although that doesn't happen too often.

sundaygirl

We've always done passenger side 1) because he's easier to keep an eye on, hand things to, etc if you're driving and 2) DH has the driver's seat pretty far back because he's tall and there's not much legroom for the kid back there.

AmandaJLewis

Luckystar2 said:

EJ has always been on my passenger side- I can see/reach her easier when I am driving when she is over there. and if I am parked along a road, she would be getting in/out on the sidewalk side of the street.

Good points! I had thought about the ease of getting to her while in a car. But it would be easier when getting in and out on the driver side. For now she still needs help with the seatbelt. I hadn't really thought of the parking along a road although that doesn't happen too often.

I have long arms, but often load EJ in on the drivers side and she climbs over to her seat and then I help her buckle if she needs it. she exits the same way most times too especially in the garage at home.  (and I also have long legs and my seat is back almost all the way in my jetta)

Luckystar2

Haha Amanda, I am the opposite! I'm a shorty!

Dd's issue with the seat belt is because her booster has a clip in between her legs (britax with secure guard clip) that she has trouble doing herself. It would be hard for me to do from the other side.

Maybe I will test out the driver side and just see how it is. The passenger side does have some benefits with seeing her better and handing her things.

waltsgirl102503

Since I have two kids, I have to have one behind me and one behind the passenger.  I don't have a problem handing Brody something when it's just me and him in the car.  I just put my arm back there and have him grab it from me.   And your DD is older than him, so I don't think she'd have a problem with it.   I like having him on my side when I'm driving so I can just get him in and then get in and not have to walk around.  I like having him on the driver's side when I'm the passenger because then I don't have to strap him in.  (LAZY! )

carcrashheart

we chose driver side. when i did my research on car seat safety the middle was the best. if that wasn't done, then driver side. the thought being that should you be in an accident the driver will instinctively try to protect them/their side first. that made sense to me. but i'm in the group that agrees with car seat safety, regardless of what is more convenient for us. we just moved LO to the middle, after having him on the driver side, and i feel safer knowing that if something were to happen he would not be against a door on either side.

Luckystar2

carcrashheart said:

we chose driver side. when i did my research on car seat safety the middle was the best. if that wasn't done, then driver side. the thought being that should you be in an accident the driver will instinctively try to protect them/their side first. that made sense to me. but i'm in the group that agrees with car seat safety, regardless of what is more convenient for us. we just moved LO to the middle, after having him on the driver side, and i feel safer knowing that if something were to happen he would not be against a door on either side.

Not sure how old your LO is was your research recent that you remember where?

Just curious because I would do whatever is safest. However I'm having a hard time finding anything that is conclusive. And having a hard time finding anything recent. One study I just found was 2008 and it said injury risk was very small amount higher on driver side but there was no significant difference between sides.

I can't even find much data on which side has more accidents. See I always thought I had heard it was the driver side which is why I had her on passenger. But it looks like there just isn't much data out there or if there is there really isn't any difference between sides. I'm surprised there isn't more data!!

Meghan&Rich

I also remember reading that the driver's side was the safer side, due to the driver's instinct if there were an accident.  That being said, we have two kids, and I don't believe our child on the passenger side is less safe than the child on the driver's side.