AA tells drivers to put baby seat in key area of car to ‘boost safety’

When you’re a parent, you have to deal with many things, and one of them is ensuring your child is safe to travel in cars. After all, it’s normal to want to go out and about with your little one, and embark on a host of adventures.

However, when it comes to safety, it turns out there are some rules you need to follow in the car, and it’s a parenting tip you should take note of. In fact, it’s so important that the AA (Automobile Association) has urged all drivers to take action, as it could make a big difference to your child’s safety.

It’s not the only essential piece of advice to be shared on the topic either. Previously, parents were also told they need to follow another driving rule.

The subject has come up on Reddit in the past, and it’s something that gets a lot of people talking. Naturally, it’s a matter many parents want advice on.

One social media user asked: “Which side is safer for an infant car seat? I know the middle is best, but it doesn’t fit there in our car.

“We’ve had him on the driver’s side, but I just thought about the possibility that there might be a difference. Is one side safer than the other?”

To this, one person replied: “Every Child Passenger Safety Technician I’ve known has said that the safest spot for a car seat is where you get the best, correct, install.”

Another added: “Not necessarily safer but, if you park on the side of the road, the passenger side will be the side closest to the sidewalk so you’re not in the roadway while fiddling with seat belts.”

A third replied: “We’ve always kept the car seat on the driver’s side because, if you’re alone in the car with the baby, then you don’t have to walk around the car to the other side to get the baby out.”

Meanwhile, a fourth also commented: “Read your car manual to see if there is a preference. Then see where you can get a proper install. My car manual says to actually avoid the middle, unless it’s the only option. My seat doesn’t fit behind the driver’s side when my husband has to drive so passenger side it is!”

However, even though people offered many sugggestions, the AA actually shares expert advice on the topic. It’s worth taking note of in future.

What does the AA say?

On the website, the AA actually offers super important guidance. The advice states: “The most common crash involves an impact to the front of your car which means that the back seat is usually a safer place to travel. So, children are best carried in the rear.

“The centre-rear seat is the safest place of all for a properly restrained child, because they’re furthest away from any impact and less likely to hit or be hit by deforming, intruding structures.” However, it also offered some other tips.

If it’s just you and one child in the car then there’s a chance you may want your child to ride up-front with you, as long as they’re properly restrained. This closer level of contact can be more reassuring for your child and less distracting for you as a driver.

In some cases, this can help reduce the risk of an accident. It adds: “If your child’s still in a rear-facing seat, you’ll have to use it in the rear if the front passenger seat is protected by an airbag that can’t be switched off.

“An active airbag will cause severe injury or death to a child lying with its head so close if it fires in an accident. For a forward-facing restraint on the front passenger seat, check your car handbook for advice first.

“If there’s no specific advice, then in general we’d recommend moving the car passenger seat well back on its runners to increase the distance between your child and the airbag.”