Q. Where is the safest place in the car for my baby to ride?
According to a National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration survey, 42% of parents put their child's car seat behind the front passenger seat, 29% in the middle, and 29% behind the driver. So which is the best place for your baby's car seat?There are actually no specific recommendations about where to put your baby's car seat, besides the general advice that you should put your baby's rear facing car seat in the back seat. Many people choose the middle seat because they figure that it is the furthest spot if the car gets hit from the side. It can be inconvenient to get an infant carrier type car seat out of that position versus a window seat though, especially if you have more than one car seat in the car at the same time.
Also, infant car seats don't always fit well in the middle position.
When choosing a window seat, some go with the driver's side rear window for convenience. Some experts think that the passenger side is a little less likely to be hit in a crash though, so may be safer.
The presence of side air bags may also influence your choice of positioning your baby's car seat, since the American Academy of Pediatrics states that "children who are seated near a side air bag may be at risk for serious injury."
More important than where you put your child's car seat in the back seat, to keep her safe, it is likely much more important that you have the car seat correctly installed and that you are using the car seat correctly. Visiting a Child Passenger Safety Inspection Station can help ensure you have your baby's car seat correctly installed in a safe spot in your car.
Sources: 2003 Motor Vehicle Occupant Safety Survey: Child Car Seat Report. American Academy of Pediatrics. Car Safety Seats: A Guide for Families 2007.
