Originally posted by K David From ages six to eight, I used to sit on my dad's lap when he worked the pedals in out 1976 Volare -- you know, with the steering column that goes straight into the engine compartment and no air bags -- and steer the car. Mostly on side streets, but on a few two-lane highways sometimes. This country has an unhealthy obsession with car seats.
Uh, no we don't. Even if there'd been airbags in 76 Volares that really wouldn't help a kid. Even apart from that sort of thing parents used to do, in even a modest crash, the g's make a child 'weigh' far more than anyone can hold onto.
The reality lies somewhere between industry advertising/being happy to change standards so people can't keep using the same ones forever, and actual safety improvement/people really wanting to protect their kids better.
(As for 'whether anyone should be wearing seatbelts at all,' particularly on the basis 'Just don't crash,' I'll point out (like my Da that taught me some pursuit driving,) that crash avoidance isn't really up to you if you aren't entirely behind the wheel and in control of the vehicle. (Kind of how he sold me on using the things when we first got a car with shoulder belts, he was basically like, "You're going to like this, actually." (for that reason. Doesn't really feel right driving without being strapped in any more than I'd do that flying an airplane.
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Last edited by Ratmagiclady; 06-22-2015 at 10:29 AM.