laustic

Hi there! I feel like this is a really dumb question, but I'm really curious. At home our 4 year old girl (37 lbs) is in a full 5 point harness car seat. I'm curious when you travel to a large city and plan on using public transport what you do if your child uses a car seat at home - more specifically taking taxis? Would you just find another way to get around (bus or subway if possible)? Or would you go ahead and take a short cab ride with the child buckled in a regular seat belt? Or is there something I'm missing?

FainaAgain

I think, but I am mistaken, there is a different belt law for taxis in San Francisco - check it for the area you are traveling to.

laustic

We're going to Vancouver so I'll make sure to check that out for sure. The thing is that technically she's old enough for a booster, but we feel safer with her in a 5 point harness. I think I'll just have to weigh our public transport options.

atlantan123

not a dumb question - child safety is super important to me! i would do subway/light rail if possible. i think,but am not sure, much less likelihood of accident on the train rather than in a vehicle on the road. if that was not avail, i would take a short cab ride w/child in regular belt in center backseat,bus would be my last choice b/c they usually dont even have any safety belts. dont know the laws or state of public transport in Vancouver.just my opinion - parent knows best so try not to worry about whatever decision you make!!!

emcash

I believe in many places that the seatbelt law does not apply to taxis. When out an about and using a car seat isn't feasible, i think many just go ahead with the short cab ride. I believe it's what many new yorkers do, as I posted a similar question abotu a year or so ago on fodors and i recall that might have been the answer.

laustic

Thanks for the replies everyone! You've pretty much confirmed what I thought. We'll try to use alternate formes of transport and cabs only in a pinch for very short journeys.

nytraveler

Taxis are typically not required to have car seats - although they may allow you to attached yours (while the meter is running) if you think you can with their seat belts.

But - what are your choices? Buses and subways don;t have car seats either.

laustic

You are correct that busses and subways do not have car seats, but they are also slower and make more frequent stops and are less likely to be involved in an injury accident.

Anything can happen anytime really so I've just got to do all I can to be safe and hope for the best.

Attnymom

Is your child big enough for a booster seat? That would be easier to get in and out of the taxi and would probably be safer than a seatbelt alone. Also, be sure to remove your car seat/booster seat from the taxi before you pay the driver - a friend who lived in a big city said she learned that the hard way! The driver was anxious to pick up another fare, and pulled away as soon as all occupants were out of the car - taking the booster seat with him!

pippa13

i am sure it sounds rude....but in europe such a question hasn't risen very often i guess.

taking a subway or train - not always the best choice. okay shit might happen everywhere. but these are "soft targets" and i would definately go for taxis. a 5 year old is not that tiny and will fit in to the regular seat.

you simply cannot avoid any risk - even when you stay at home!
so take it easy and don't worry about things which simply don't matter in the end in view to taxi rides in europe!

pippa13

oops - how did i come up with EUROPE!? just forget about europe. belongs to every country.

laustic

Pippa - I'm not sure I quite get what you're saying...

pippa13

@ laustic
i would take taxis whenever available in order to avoid public transport.
i simply would not make a fuss about the belt size etc.
i consider it much more dangerous to make use of public transport.

W9London

Hmmm... In so many cities I have lived/visited and have taken public transporation, I saw many local children commuting to school using public transportations. This includes NY, Boston, HK, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, London, Paris, Berlin, Milan, Geneve, Madrid, Jerusalem to name a few. It can't be that dangerous?

laustic

>>I consider it much more dangerous to make use of public transport.

I can understand how you might make that assumption, but it is a false one. Public transit is by far safer for small children than being in a automobile with restraints that do not fit properly.

The long and short of it is that seat belts are made to restrain a 150 lb adult in a crash, not a 37 lb munchkin. If the child was lucky enough to be restrained in an accident the potential for grave injury from the seat belt itself is still highly possible - including severed intestines and spinal damage.

According research conducted by the NHTSA: "The early graduation of kids into adult lap and shoulder belts is a leading cause of child-occupant injuries and deaths." Hence all the "fuss" about seat belt size.

Add to this that larger public transit type vehicles (bus, subway, tram, etc) are MUCH LESS likely to be involved in an injury accident. They make frequent stops and are slower. The risk of being thrown completely from the vehicle is much lower.

Sure, you can't avoid all injury and risk in life. If I believed that I wouln't be traveling in the first place. But when the leading cause of death in the US for children ages 3 to 6 is automobile accidents I think it just makes sense to be informed and prepared. In the end when it comes down to the safety of my child I guess I'm okay with being labeled overprotective

atlantan123

what did you end up doing? how did it work out?

laustic

Thanks for checking in

We actually leave for the trip on August 27th (I definitely start planning and thinking WAY in advance), but I've definitely decided we won't ride in Taxis in Vancouver w/o a carseat. We'll just use other forms of public transport. The three of us are all good walkers too

travelswithkids

If you are calling for a taxi, you can request one with a car seat. We did this frequently while travelling. If you are just hailing one, you aren't likely to luck into one that has a car seat so just buckle up!

laustic

Good idea - haven't yet worked out how we're getting from airport to hotel - may have to call a cab and request a car seat.