PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - How safe is a passenger in the 3rd seat of a 300TD?

Diesel Dan · #4 03-01-2007, 05:40 PM

In a rear-end collision, the child will be thrown towards the back of the vehicle. In the minivan, that means being thrown "backwards" into the seatback, with the force evenly distributed over the body. In the TD the force will throw the child "forward" against the seatbelt straps (since they are facing rear) with the force focused on the points where the straps touch the body. More likely to result in broken bones and bruising. Plus, they are more exposed to broken glass from the rear window. If you rear-end someone else, of course, the whole dynamic is reversed. I think in general I would feel safer with my kids in the minivan.