The Safest Position in a Five-Seater Sedan?
2 Answers
After fastening the seat belt, the middle position in the rear seat is the safest. Here are the details: 1. The conclusion that the middle rear seat is the safest comes from a survey conducted by American experts: The U.S. Department of Transportation funded an expert group to investigate the safety issues of car seats. 2. The expert group studied five-seater cars and, after nearly 10 years of accident analysis and numerous real-vehicle tests, concluded: If the risk coefficient of the driver's seat is set at 100% as a reference standard, the coefficient of the front passenger seat is 101%, the risk coefficient of the rear seat behind the driver is 73.4%, the risk coefficient of the other side rear seat is 74.2%, and the risk coefficient of the middle rear seat is 62.2%.
I've been driving for many years and believe the safest seat in a five-seater sedan is the middle one in the back row. From a physics perspective, it's the farthest from all impact points. For example, in a frontal collision, the front seats act as a buffer, and in a side collision, the doors on either side aren't a direct threat. I recall crash data showing that the risk of severe injury is lowest for someone sitting in the middle. Of course, the seatbelt must be securely fastened; otherwise, no position is safe. Some car models lack a dedicated airbag for the rear middle seat, but it's still much safer than sitting next to the side doors. I often notice others overlooking this position while driving, which worries me. Choosing a safe seat can reduce travel risks, and developing good habits is especially important for long-distance trips. I personally make it a habit to have my child sit there. Regularly checking the vehicle's safety systems, like airbags and locking functions, ensures everything is in order. In short, safety comes first, and choosing the right seat can save lives.