OK, honestly, would you allow a big 2.8 year old to go in a booster seat for a short trip

[Twiglett]

because I wouldn't

and people always look at me askance like I'm over-reacting and I'd like to know if I am

5-point harness or no car journey

I also won't allow 6 year old in a car without a booster seat

Surely if you are using a booster seat (not high backed) but use the strap to put the seat belt at the correct height that is OK.

I could buy another two high back boosters (need them for both cars) but at that time he will be the right age/height for a booster cushion.

Kaishay that's pretty unrealistic isn't it?RF ones go up to 15 mths max and even if the weight was ok surely the length issue would make it completely inmpractical?

www.cpsafety.com/articles/stayrearfacing.aspx

www.car-safety.org/rearface.html

Check out those two websites.
It hasn't caught on here in the UK yet, but Car Seat Techs in the US are shouting about Extended Rear Facing because its been unequivicaly proven that its safer for the child.

There are one or two seats that allow you to maintain RF up until the child is 4, the Britax Rome is one i can name off the top of my head.

Uhm - I have just ordered 2 Maxi Cosi Rodi (Group 2/3)carseats for dd1 - one for mine and dp's cars.

Dd1(28 months) is over 15 kgs and is tall enough - I tried out the seats in John Lewis - they said it is the weight/height that is important. The seat seemed fine.

You've got me all worried now as it doesn't have a harness etc.

Anybody able to say it's O.K? Cos I'm now a bit worried.

The general consensus in the UK is that as long as the belt securely restrains the child, its ok. It should be flush with the shoulder and not cut the neck in any way.

A 5-point harness is preferable, but not necessary under our current laws.

As i said, this isnt a policy the uk safety techs have picked up on yet, but i believe Sweden RF passed 20lbs, as do Australia., and personally having seen some of the crash tests they've done in the US,i'll be paying the £120+ for the Newborn-4yrs seats that can be either RF/FF.

people.delphiforums.com/SKATERBABS/5steptest.html

Thats an article a US Chilsd safety tech wrote about boosters.

Bozza I would get the high backed boosters regardless of whether he will be bi/heavy enough.
Booster cushions offer no side impact protection at all and I have seen the videos of the crash tests with dummies on only a booser cushion so please onsider buying another HBB.

To answer the question yes and no, if it was a booster cushion then no although I have bought one and used it once in a really urgent where dd had become ill and with an hour until the next bus I had to get he home NOW! If the child was heavy enough then I would use a HBB although in an idealt world they should be in a 5 point just never happened with dd she was shoulders above the straps at 2.5 so had to come out her seat.

It has always been widely known that children should be in rear facing seats for longer in some countires, in some scndanavian countries it is law that children must be rear facing until 3 but the big difference between here and there is that their carseats are far more superior to here, better tested and better equipped to have a toddler rear facing in them.

hotmama: My 3 DS1 went in to the Rodi when he was 3 as he was heavy and tall enough. My 3.5 year old daughter has just gone in to one too. At a certain height and weight chidren are safer in a seat with a seat with a seat belt and not a harness.

I feel that booster seats are awful. Ones with back give extra support. JMO.

I would just like to add that my local Halfords advised that a 5 point harness is not appropriate for a child weighing 18kgs and over due to the fact that they cause the car seat to bend in an accident and compress the spine. They said from 18kgs a seat belt and a appropiate high back/high sided booster is recommended.
If you look in the mothercare book for duel purpose car seats ie those that offer 5 point and seat belt routing it does say 5 point harness to 18kgs then seatbelt after.

However the collar bone is not strong enough in a child under the age of 3 to take a accident in a normal seat belt so if you have a child who is under 3 but weighs more than 18kgs then you have to weigh up if you would prefer a broken collar bone or compressed spine and pelvis.

Nice choice kbaby. Makes you think the manufacture of car seats could be worked on doesn't it? I think in that situation the collar bone rather than the spine.

Going back to the OP, I wouldn't do it - my DH probably would as he says the law states car seats should be used 'if available', so I think technically it wouldn't be illegal but is still dangerous.

When i was having dd my SMIL who was looking after DS then 2.5 transported him with no booster/car seat despite the fact that we had given them his own car seat! I was soo but no one else could understand it as it was just up the road.

I'm a hospital paramedical worker, and a few years ago a 6-year-old boy was brought into A&E following a crash in which the car he was being driven in was rammed from behind by a van as it was stopped to turn into his driveway! He was sitting in the front seat wearing a seat belt (apparently) but no booster seat, and he was thrown out the window by the impact. He died later. It still affects me thinking about it (can't imagine what it's like for his parents).
I'm very fussy as a result and won't allow my children to travel without appropriate seats.