Are minivans safer in side collisions?

[Anonymous]

Or "t-bones", as they're called? Thinking about what's safest for my kids in their boosters. We were recently in a minor accident that spooked me, and got me thinking.

[Anonymous]

Statistically speaking, minivans and large family sedans are the safest vehicles for children riding in the back seat.

Add side curtain air bags and vehicle stability assist, which are the two most significant safety advances in cars in decades.

[Anonymous]

There are cars in all classes that are good for side impact, but you have to go with the test data. Here it is:

http://www.iihs.org/ratings/default.aspx

[Anonymous]

Here's a brochure that shows what to look for.

http://www.iihs.org/brochures/pdf/sfsc.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are cars in all classes that are good for side impact, but you have to go with the test data. Here it is:

http://www.iihs.org/ratings/default.aspx

Not the OP, but thank you for posting this. We are in the market for a new car, and this is useful.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks!! My DH said that side airbags aren't safe for children. I will look at the test data. We currently haveca wagon that tests well but has no side airbags.

[Anonymous]

Want to ruin your night? Look up videos of crash tests on youtube.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks!! My DH said that side airbags aren't safe for children. I will look at the test data. We currently haveca wagon that tests well but has no side airbags.

Really? I'd like to know why he says that.

I was in a car accident 9 years ago and my car was one of the ones that had side airbags early on. If it wasn't for the side airbags, I would have sustained severe injuries. So, since then, any car I get, I make sure there are side airbags. But, I understand that airbags affect kids differently.

[Anonymous]

I disagree with the pp. You can not compare a small car to a larger one. The thing that determines injury in side impact accident is how close you are to the door. Put the child in the center seat, if you have two, put the second child on the right side (less risk of t-bone).
Wide sedans are good, but if it is an SUV, you could be decapitated. In a van, there is a higher risk of roll over, but the head is more likely spared on impact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks!! My DH said that side airbags aren't safe for children. I will look at the test data. We currently haveca wagon that tests well but has no side airbags.

Really? I'd like to know why he says that.

I was in a car accident 9 years ago and my car was one of the ones that had side airbags early on. If it wasn't for the side airbags, I would have sustained severe injuries. So, since then, any car I get, I make sure there are side airbags. But, I understand that airbags affect kids differently.

I'm this PP. Sorry if it came across as snarky at all. I really didn't mean it that way!! I'm just wondering if there is some reason that children would be affected differently by side airbags in particular.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I disagree with the pp. You can not compare a small car to a larger one. The thing that determines injury in side impact accident is how close you are to the door. Put the child in the center seat, if you have two, put the second child on the right side (less risk of t-bone).
Wide sedans are good, but if it is an SUV, you could be decapitated. In a van, there is a higher risk of roll over, but the head is more likely spared on impact.

Sorry, put the child on teh left, behind the driver.