Car seat placement

Pediatrics for Parents, Feb, 2008 by Roy Benaroch

Q I was wondering what is the best placement in a car to put the car seat if I only have one child. Is he middle space really the safest or is a side better?

A Yes, the safest place for a car seat is in the middle of the back seat because it is the farthest from a door, where impact could occur. If you have a car or van that doesn't have a middle, or has a "hump" in the middle that prevents a car seat from being installed correctly, the second best place is behind the driver. T-bone style collisions are more common on the passenger side, probably because the driver has poorer vision out the passenger window than out the driver's window. It's not a huge difference, but given a choice it's safer to sit behind the driver than behind the front passenger.

Roy Benaroch, MD

Roy Benaroch, MD, answers your questions this month. He practices in Atlanta, GA. and is a frequent contributor to the newsletter and the Pediatrics for Parents podcast.