First problem is: they're rear facing. Imagine the force in a frontal collision. Unless the child is seated properly, the backward force on the child's neck will snap his head off like a twig. How many children sit properly, even when belted?

Second problem is: they're rear facing. In a rear end collision, the child has no shield from flying glass ejected from the tailgate window. The children will take the shatter directly in the face.

Third problem is: Why would you put your kids in the middle of a deformation zone? Simply, if the vehicle is built properly, there will not be room in the rear for the third seat. Any car that extends the safety cage to include the rear seat area loses the majority of the deformation zone. The will create much higher impact forces on the driver and passengers as the vehicle will not have the capability of absorbing the impact force.

Personally, I think that Volvo's use of the third seat is hypocritical. The advertise and profess to be the safest cars on earth, yet they compromise in an area that is certainly not safety oriented. For what? More sales. They sold their soul by compromising the safety of our children. What makes it worse, is that they advertise the opposite. The majority of consumers don't know the difference, and believe what they are told. In short they advertise something that they do not practice; this makes it worse.

Although, this troubles me greatly, remember, this is an opinion of mine. Take it as you will, but I resent the idea that they can build such a safe car, and then blatantly create hazard that could seriously hurt a young child. In my eyes it offsets all of the work that they have performed in regards to safety, and certainly negates any claims of passenger safety, at least for those in the rear facing seat.

Cheers,
Brian.

posted by 65.106.25...

• OT - Safety of Third Seat in Rear of Station Wagon?, ChipJ, Fri, 20 Dec 2002 10:02:33
  • Not good, but better than..., Stephen Goldberger, Fri, 20 Dec 2002 22:42:03
  • Re: OT - Safety of Third Seat in Rear of Station Wagon?, Dusan, Fri, 20 Dec 2002 13:39:31
  • Re: OT - Safety of Third Seat in Rear of Station Wagon?, FrozenSaab, Fri, 20 Dec 2002 10:58:17
  • Re: OT - Safety of Third Seat in Rear of Station Wagon?, Cameron, Fri, 20 Dec 2002 10:49:58
  • Three problems with rear facing 3rd seats..., b.flippo, Fri, 20 Dec 2002 10:38:01 <-- Viewing This Message
    • But the do increase your market share......nm, Mike Lynch , Fri, 20 Dec 2002 16:00:32
      • Mike- you're kidding, right?, Brian, Fri, 20 Dec 2002 16:05:13
        • Right.......nm, Mike Lynch , Fri, 20 Dec 2002 16:16:22
    • Brian, thank you for that posting, K-9, Fri, 20 Dec 2002 12:00:56
      • are we there yet? :^) . . . n/m, MJP, Fri, 20 Dec 2002 17:03:17
    • Brian- Well said..., Brian, Fri, 20 Dec 2002 10:49:15
      • I enjoyed both posts - well-written and even though>, ChipJ, Fri, 20 Dec 2002 11:17:17
        • Re: I enjoyed both posts - well-written and even though>, McSAAB, Sat, 21 Dec 2002 00:05:42
          • Key phrase: If seated properly..., b.flippo, Sat, 21 Dec 2002 09:45:15
          • Re: I enjoyed both posts - well-written and even though>, McSAAB, Sat, 21 Dec 2002 00:06:58

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