Is keeping a 13yr old girl in a harnessed car seat for safety worth it?

Question

Ok, first things first - she's 13 years old, 50" tall, weighs 70 pounds, and rides in a Britax Regent.
The height limit for the Britax Regent is 53" and the weight limit is 80 pounds - she is well within the limits for both height and weight.

However, she's also 13 years old.
This is a picture of her seat, with the actual cover that hers has: http://www.elitecarseats.com/assets/product_images/alternate/300/100245MADISON00.jpg
It is currently installed in the middle of the back seat - why? Because that's the safest place in the car.

The reason I have her harnessed is for safety... Some of you may have seen these videos on youtube:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=azgBhZfcqaQ
and
http://youtube.com/watch?v=y2LFo8vVi04

Both of those children were killed in accidents. I've been aware of the added safety provided by a 5pt harness for ages, thus the reason she rids in a harnessed seat.

However, is it worth it at 13 years old?

Ok, it seems that some of the people so far don't actually understand how the whole age for car seats work.
Car seat usage should not be based on age, but rather size and maturity.

As I have written in my original description, she is well within the limits of the seat, so please read that before jumping the gun with the '8 years old is the maximum age for a booster seat' replies.


Oh, and she doesn't ride in it to places like school, or when friends are in the car.
But she does ride in it when it's just the two of us, or only family members in the car.

Answer 1

I can fully understand your concern, and it is vital to that all children are restrained appropriately.

While your daughter may meet the height and weight limits, she may feel a little awkward at still being able to still fit into a 5pt harness. It maybe worth taking her thoughts and feelings into consideration.

My daughter was on the small side, and I spoke to local RTA/TAC about the regulations and car seats and boosters.
I was advised to put her into a booster, and be sure it was anchored properly, and properly belted in.

Ultimately the decision is yours.

Answer 2

well first of all I think thats great that you are going by the height and weight not age, but I'm pretty sure it would be ok to move her into a booster seat, I would bet shes too big for a harness car seat. And a booster seat will raise her up so a regular seat belt will keep her safe just as good. Also again I think its wonderful that you are trying to keep her safe, so why wouldnt you do it at all times, instead of just with close family in the car. You could have car accidents when she has friends in the car, and to and from school. Just my 2 cents I hope this helps you.

Answer 3

Girl In Car Seat

Answer 4

Does she have some kind of medical condition. She is severely under height and weight for a 13 yr old. 70 lbs and just over 4' tall. I doubt that a seat belt would fit her properly but a car seat seems a bit extreme. At least put her in a booster.

Answer 5

The rule of thumb is that if they can sit on the regular car seat with their feet flat on the floor then they are too big for a car seat.

The GUIDELINES for the carseat are just that - guidelines. That is the maximum weight and height you can use the carseat for. They put them there because some kids grow faster then others and are too big very early, like age 7 or so. It doesn't mean you leave the kids their until they are 17 years old.

Answer 6

are you serious. How embarrasing for her. When i seen the photo, the first thought was it looks like the same car seat my 1 year old has. Gosh, what era were you born in? that poor girl, it seems to me you are still babying her. So, if you transported a 30 year old dwarf person, would they have to sit in that car seat too? come on lady, its common sense. There is a risk in every car whether in a car seat or not.

And in actual fact, it has been proven that having a car seat or sitting in the middle is the most unsafe as there is no seat infront to offer protection - the front windscreen is the first thing they would go through.

She's 13 lady, not 3. whats the point anyway if she only sits in in sometimes, its either all the time or not at all.
I would rather pedal around on a unicycle with streamers hanging from the wheel, wearing a red nose and a bright curley wig than sit in that thing

Answer 7

I think you answered your own question when you said she doesn't use it to school or when friends are in the car. Why not, if she's in it for safety reasons? Either you think it's necessary or you don't.

She's thirteen, and it's time you stopped treating her like a baby and started letting her take the same sort of risks that you take yourself in everyday life. Not stupid risks, just "I'm not wrapped in cotton wool" risks. If you think five point harnesses aren't in this category, then you should get them installed in every seat in the car including your own and insist that all people in your car use them at all times. Honestly, by putting her in a child seat you're much more likely to make her want to rebel and not wear a seatbelt at all the moment she's out of your sight. Which would be far more dangerous.

Answer 8

As a parent, I understand your concern about safety, but in Kansas, it is 80 lbs or 8 years old, I commend you for wanting the best for your child and doing everything possible to keep her safe, but the first thing that pops into my mind as I read your question is embarasment that you might unintentionally inflict. Not that embarasment is any reason to neglect your childs needs, but do any of her friends still ride in carseats? How would she feel if they saw her...would they tease her or single her out, does she ever mention these kinds of things? Pre teens/and teenage girls can be incredibly cruel. You need to keep her safe physically, which you are obviously doing a great job at, but you also need to be aware of her self esteem and mental well being too. I would suggest talking to her about it and getting her opinion, but ultimately as a parent, the final decision needs to be yours, and you need to be comfortable with it.

If she is to short to properly wear an adult seat belt, maybe consider transitioning with a simple booster to raise her up to the proper height so the shoulder belt fits correctly.

Answer 9

I understand you want to protect your child but at some point you have to let her go. Yes, kids do die in car accidents. My best friend was killed when she was 12 in a car accident. But you need to stop. She can fall in the shower and hit her head, she can have cancer and you don't know it, she can be run over by a car or she can be kidnapped walking to school or at the mall with friends. You CAN'T be there all the time. I know you want to but you need to let her grow up. I think this issue you have is not just about her safety but about not wanting to lose her. Anything can happen at any moment. You don't want to spend the rest of those moments worrying about the small things or hiding in the bushes making sure shes OK. For her sake and your mental emotions...just take away the carseat and stop it. Maybe you should look into some counsiling for yourself as you seem to have some issues that need working out. Its ok that you care for her but dont take it to far

Answer 10

My older daughter had a different problem. She was five feet tall at the age of eight. In fact, she was too big for car seats well before the recommended age limits. I decided that by that time, she was already taller than many adult women and so she could ride in a car and use regular seat belts. I know it's often recommended for children 12 and under to sit in the back seat but she was about 5'7" by that time. That's definitely taller than many adult women.