Car seat safety question - positioning in middle of back seat in estate car?

[crokky]

I would like to put my DS's car seat (group 2 highback booster using the adult seat belt) in the middle of the back seat of the car occasionally.

My car is an estate and it has a lap and diagonal belt in the middle position of the back seat.

Would this be unsafe?

Would it be less safe than the seat being put on the end of the back row? If so, do you know why?

Thanks for any help in the minefield of carseats!

Also, when putting a gp 2 seat next to a large rear facing combi 0+/1 seat on the back seat - is it OK as long as they aren't touching? Or lightly touching?

No idea. But it helps, I have had every combination of three seats in the back of my estate and currently have 3 high back boosters. When you have 3 DC someone has to sit there.

if it helps

Thanks, also forgot to mention DS in the highback booster is very young. He's only 2 and extremely tall (way over 99.9 centile!) and can't use a group 1 seat any more due to his huge height. He can't use a group 1/2/3 combi either as the evolva 123 didn't fit my car at all. He is just heavy enough to use the group 2 seat and have had him checked it and he does behave re moving the seat belt etc.

DD's carseat instructions say that the safest position is the middle seat provided there is a diagonal belt. Something to do with side impact I think

Oh right, that's very interesting, if so, I could leave it there permanently.

My DD's seat is in the middle seat of DH's car and the car safety site recommends that as the safest position. BUT I don't know about estate cars- don't know if that makes a difference.

Might be worth ringing the manufacturer's customer services for advice?
I would be more concerned about a 2yo not being in a five-point harness. Is there really nothing available? I find that quite shocking.

CM - only combination seats - he is the size of a 4/5 year old (he's 2.8 and me and DH are both giants, we get stared at in the street sometimes!).

There is the Britax Evolva 123 which doesn't fit my car and the Recaro Young sport 123 which for some reason my DS just doesn't fit. I am not pleased about it, but have consulted JL and Britax at length and both say he's safe in the group 2/3 Britax seat. He will obey when told to "sit properly" ie right into the back of the seat with his head in the wings. Have just put my (also v long) 7mo in a Britax rear facing 0+/1 combi so am totally pissed off with car seats! (Her head comes out the top of the infant carrier and the straps don't come up high enough for her).

Definately a gap in the market isn't there? You can't be the only one in this situation. My DC are all weeny and will probably be in boosters till they are 12!