Gemmasetters, there are some legal issues on using an American car seat here and if you are in an accident, they may not pay out because it is not approved by the EU. These RF seats have the EU label and that is why you can mail order them from Sweden. When we moved here from the states, we had just bought a brand new seat for our son and had to tip it because it wasn't legal. Very difficult. You can, however, use the EU seats in the states but if pulled over for any reason they may question the seat because some of our baby seats are 3 point harnesses where theirs are 5 point and they all have chest clips.
Also, the EU test the seats here at 10mph faster than the tests in the US.
I agree these seats are expensive. I can't exactly afford one either but because I know my child will be safer, I'm going to buy one. I just have to save up for it and at least I have time before she outgrows her baby seat.
I'm from the states and was confused by the lack of sales of combination car seats. Didn't know there were extended rear facing seats at the time. anyway, asked where all the combo car seats are and I was met with a lot of hostility. Most outgrew their baby carriers at 6-9 months and the parents felt completely safe putting them FF at that age! Some just wanted their babies to sit forward so they could enjoy the view! I was told that combo seats were unsafe but they have been used in the states for ages safely.
While preparing for our new baby, I didn't see alot on the guidelines of car seat safety and had to research them myself. They should be given out in every packet that your midwife gives you.
The stats are based per number of people, perhaps there are less people there and different roads but we have rural and urban areas here too which could affect your question. We live near a country road where too many are killed each year, it's not a busy road either and yet people and babies are still killed, one was a baby sitting FF in the back seat, her mom hit a tree head on. I often wonder if that baby would still be here if she was RF. So to me, the statistics in those charts speak to me. the fact is, they have fewer deaths and if you see it decreasing because of the seats then there is your answer on how safe a RF seat is.
I'm purchasing the BeSafe Izi Combi, the front bar is there to absorb car crash forces. Their website offers a chart that shows if the seats will fit your car.
Someone also made a comment that if one seat from a manufacturer is safe then all of them would be safe. This is not true and you should never assume that. Some of the best names in car seats have recalls too.
The most important thing is making sure the seats are installed properly and your child belted in properly, be if RF or FF.