Back seat safety in vehicles
Shopping for a car can be a harrowing experience, especially for a woman; many women are uneducated when it comes to the world of autos. But if you can memorize the contents of your purse, your child's class schedule, and your great aunt's recipe for peach cobbler, then you can certainly familiarize yourself with the safety features on your automobile.
These features are very important, especially if that car will transport children on a daily basis. Many drivers assume that a seatbelt is an adequate safety measure for backseat passengers, and while it is certainly recommended that every passenger wear one (and is the law in many states), the addition of rear airbags can greatly reduce the severity of an injury in the event of an accident.
The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recently finished up aneight-year studyon this very subject, and researchers believe that an airbag/seat belt combo can "significantly reduce the threat of a passenger sustaining a spinal injury" during a crash.
Of course, airbags also keep a driver or passenger from being ejected from the vehicle during an accident. However, most rear airbags are designed to provide a cushion between the backseat passenger's head and the window. This is why it is extremely important to make sure all rear passengers are buckled in, because they could still be thrown from the car upon impact without it. It's also imperative to read the vehicle's safety manual in regards to where an infant car seat should be placed. Some auto makers insist that an infant restraint system go in the middle of the backseat when possible.
However, depending on the location of the vehicle's rear airbags and the design of the car, an infant car seat may be in a safer position beside one of the windows. Infants should always be facing the rear of the car and they shouldneverride in the front seat; in the event of a crash, the passenger-side airbag could potentially deploy and cause serious harm or even death to an infant. Pregnant women are also advised to ride in the backseat for the same reason.
It is also important to make sure that all passengers are wearing their seatbelts correctly, as young children often pull the shoulder harness out so much that it becomes loose across their bodies. If the child is old enough to ride without a booster seat, he may still be so short that a shoulder strap is uncomfortable. A seat belt cushion is an easy way to avoid this, and is also ideal for pregnant drivers.
It may be helpful to write out a list of questions for your salesperson before you shop for a new car. These might include, but are not limited to, "What is considered the safest car on the market, and why? Where are the airbags located? Is there an airbag on/off switch installed?" Don't be shy! The safety of you and your passengers is a big concern, and a knowledgeable salesperson should be more than happy to give you answers.
