gterriley said:
It’s definitely something to consider. However as I said I hardly ever am a passenger in a car and drive myself almost everywhere. Believe me in practicality I think it would actually be beneficial to use the car seat more often because my body dimensions (longer legs and shorter torso) result in a regular seatbelt sitting somewhat uncomfortably on me, so maybe I actually need to be in a car seat outright lol. But yes, I will definitely consider swallowing my pride for any longer trip because I would undoubtedly be more comfortable (and safer) harnessed
yes for sure, pride isnt work being comfortable and evne less so against being possibly hurt or worse in an accident.
Yes, if the seat belt doesnt sit right on you, you should look at something, even when driving, maybe a cushion, I know my grandma (weighed 100lbs) needed a cushion on the seat in the car to drive all the time, and she was in a smaller car too, not a big SUV or something.
I know they make quite a few seat cushions for the cars these days, maybe that would help the seatbelt get in a better place. Across the neck is not comfortable and highly dounbt would be that good in an accident (better than nothing for sure) but might cause some neck issues in an accident i'd think.
I myself cant sit upright well, back issues, and the regular seatbelt is about 10" in front of my upper body in the van, not very good either, but I cant even sit upright in a wheelchair, I have reclined back on the wheelchair.
I'm proud your willing to consider or work towards using the seat more over being "adult", as in all reality it's not about being adult or pride, it's simply over being comfortable and possibly better safety getting better placement of seatbelts and alike.
I too was at one point too "proud" to openly wear a harness in the car, but after my accident things bacame much more focused on safety over looking "manley" or whatever stupid thing i would have said to myself to not do what is best.
cars are very dangerous, people die in them every day, and many more hurt by the hour all the time. I truly wish there were better restraints in the cars, i mean race cars have good protection for the driver and the technology is there to make them much safer than they are today, but it's cheaper to NOT add in the safety items and then the car company can make more money.
I think before i said it would be best if there was just a generic mount in the cars (universal mount) and everyone just got the seat thet fit them the best (seat belts included) and easy to pop in/out of the cars (take the seat with you if you swap cars, or even ride with someone else) be a whole new market for seats, and also cheaper for the car companies having just a mount there. Then you can get a seat that is perfect for you, side bolsters that fit, the right width, height, etc. and if you want better fabric/leather and/or padding, even type of seat belts would be your own choice, just like buying a kids seat, just for adults. You'd have a new isle at the wal-mart and/or car acessory stores with seats for kids through adults, and even then easy/available things for special needs would be cheaper on a modular seat, but that would take an act of congress to get done i'm sure, and the whole "safety" NHTSA is not really in it for safety, just bare minimums to get a touch of safety whilst bowing to the pressure from the car companies and lobbiests...but that is too political.
Basic thing is in my opnion that people (yes everyone reading this that means you) needs to look at the safety of the vehicle they are in/own/lease/rent/ride in etc...
Look at what is there at a VERY LOW bar or Minumum level. Then find things they can do/add/invest in to make the car safer.
There are a ton of things not just a car seat that should be done. From everyone should have a seatbelt cutter and a window breaker in the car and within reach, they cost nothing, especially considering the ramifications if you need one and dont have one. Amazon has them CHEAP and everyone should have them period, but i bet 95% of people dont have one within reach in the car. Most states require them on comercial vehicles like busses and limos and such, so they are not a gimmick.
then there is just a seatbelt adjuster to get the strap where it should be on you, or alike.
Then additional harnesses.
even just cleaning out things in the car, as something on the back deck in a car will come forward and hit people in a crash, my accident EVERY crumb was under the dash in the car after, the rear seat was pretty clean from about everything. Having say something like a pliers on a back back deck or screwdriver could easily kill someone in the front. Also even checking the seatbelts for wear/rips/tears/etc, or if the spring tensioner is working, or having the belt twisted.
If everyone was to check the safety equipment/seatbelts, clean the car up, have a seatbelt cutter, and make sure the seatbelt is not twisted and in the proper position on thier body would be a good start. And if it's NOT in the proper position to do whatever is needed to get it there. And if that is an extra positioner, harness, or even a whole seat, that should be done.
Trust me, and most likely anyone else that has had a major accident, having the seatbelt in the proper location, tensioned right, no objject able to fly around, is going to help you out soo much in the event of a car crash, and adding something like a harness or even a seat may help you even more. I for one wish i was in my BMW and in the 6pt belts in that car for the accident, i'm most likely be walking around like normal to this day, still working in my dream job i was doing at the time, and having a great income still, but as i was in my winter beater, that was not the case and just thank god the kids were not in the car at the time as i really dont think they would have made it, i nearly didnt make it, one the kids car seats was in the front dash/windshild after the crash (ripped out of the seatbelt) with noone in it.
Back on topic (sorry for the asides i get to about this, i am passionate about it).
I'm glad that your willing to put aside the pride and use this when you can to both be more comfortable and most like safer. Also as another aside, noone needs to have the unopenable locks on the carseat if they dont want to, but if you do (as the he does already) keep a seatbelt cutter in reach just in case (you shoud even without a locking buckle guard too).
