Is LATCH system safer than seatbelt?
Is LATCH system safer than seatbelt?
The truth is that neither is more safe than the other when used properly. According to government testing standards, there aren’t any safety-related advantages to using seat belts over LATCH lower anchors, or LATCH lower anchors over seat belts, provided that the seats are installed correctly.
What are LATCH connectors?
LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren. LATCH is a way to secure a car seat to a vehicle using straps or connectors on the car seat that connect to special metal anchors in the vehicle. LATCH is known as ISOFIX in Europe and LUAS (Lower Universal Anchorage System) in Canada.
Which cars have the LATCH system?
Nearly all passenger vehicles and all car safety seats made on or after September 1, 2002, are equipped to use LATCH. See vehicle owner’s manual for highest weight of child allowed to use top tether. All lower anchors are rated for a maximum weight of 65 pounds (total weight includes car safety seat and child).
How much weight can the LATCH system hold?
65 pounds
The LATCH system in most vehicles is only built to accommodate a load of 65 pounds.
Why can’t you use both LATCH and seat belt?
Why Using the LATCH System and a Seat belt Can Be Unsafe By using both the Lower Anchors and the seat belt system when you shouldn’t, the force of the crash will place stress on the wrong areas of the car seat, which can cause the car seat not to function properly.
What does latch stand for?
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children
LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. This installation system was created to help standardize the way child restraints are attached to vehicles without using a seatbelt, simplifying child safety seat installation to reduce incorrect positioning.
When did cars start having LATCH?
About the LATCH system The LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system was developed to make it easier to correctly install child safety seats without using seat belts. LATCH can be found in vehicles as well as infant, convertible and forward-facing child safety seats, made after Sept. 1, 2002.
How do I know my car has a LATCH?
Your vehicle owner’s manual will tell you if LATCH is present. You can also look for the built-in latch anchors which are usually marked by a symbol or tag on the vehicle’s seat. LATCH-equipped vehicles will have two lower anchors and one top tether anchor installed in each LATCH seating position.
What are the guidelines for child safety restraints?
Seat belts are made for adults. Children should stay in a booster seat until adult seat belts fit correctly, typically when children reach about 4 feet 9 inches in height and are 8 to 12 years of age. Most children will not fit in a seat belt alone until 10 to 12 years of age.
