Tips for Safe (and Convenient) Taxi Travel
AVOID REGRETS: TIPS FOR TRAVELING SAFELY IN TAXIS
In NYC in 2000 (the most recent year for which data are available) 2,600 children were injured in 17,000 taxi-related accidents. Studies show that NYC taxi passengers are 2.5 times more likely to be seriously injured or killed than the passengers in the other vehicle involved in the crash.
Accidents happen – but you can prevent injuries. Have NO REGRETS; protect your children. Make sure that quick taxi ride to school or a playdate doesn’t send your child to the hospital.
DO:
- Keep kids rear-facing as long as possible – it’s 5 times safer than forward-facing – even for 3-year-olds!
- Keep kids in a 5-point harness car seat as long as possible
- Use a booster until the child passes the 5-step test
DON’T
- Let anyone ride UNrestrained. A seat belt is ALWAYS better than nothing.
- Buckle two people in one belt. Things in a crash weigh their weight times the speed of a crash. An adult will weigh several thousand pounds, crushing a child sitting on their lap or carried on their chest.
- Put the shoulder belt behind the child’s back or under the arm.This removes all head & chest protection
- Forget your own seat belt. Restrained passengers are 4 times more likely to die if one person in the car is not restrained, as the unrestrained person becomes a human missile.
REAR-FACING CAR SEAT OPTIONS
INFANT SEATS (with upper weight limits of 30+ pounds – list includes those CURRENTLY sold)
Baby Trend Flex-Loc 30 (Note: base will not install securely in many cars)
Combi Shuttle 33
Cybex Aton
Evenflo Secure Ride 35 e3, Serenade
Graco Snug Ride 30 and Snug Ride 35 or Teutonia T-tario 35
Evenflo Secure Ride 35 e3, Serenade
Graco Snug Ride 30 and Snug Ride 35 or Teutonia T-tario 35
Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30 (Note: base will not install securely in many cars)
CONVERTIBLE SEATS (go REAR facing and then later FORWARD facing)
Rear-facing 5-33 lbs, forward to 40 lbs. Lightweight (11 lbs)
Fits on Combi Coccoro Flash stroller (shown in pic to the right). Installs well in most vehicles, has built-in-locking clips for easier seat belt installation.
Fits on Combi Coccoro Flash stroller (shown in pic to the right). Installs well in most vehicles, has built-in-locking clips for easier seat belt installation.
Sit N’ Stroll **Note: Sit N’ Stroll will not install securely in most cars**
Rear-facing 5-30 lbs, forward to 40 lbs. Has stroller wheels built in.
FORWARD-FACING CAR SEAT OPTIONS
FORWARD-FACING ONLY SEAT
Safety 1st Go Hybrid (formerly the Safeguard Go)
5-point harness up to 60 lbs (booster to 100 lbs). Lightweight (9 lbs) & comes in a travel bag. When using 5-point-harness MUST use tether. Can’t be used on airplane (no tether), but fits in overhead bin.
CONVERTIBLE SEATS (see rear-facing above – these seats go rear & forward)
BOOSTER SEAT & VEST OPTIONS
4-8 year olds are 59% safer in boosters than with just a seat belt. Boosters keep the seat belt on the strongest parts of the body – hip bones & collar bone – and best of all require no installation. These 2 products each weigh JUST 1 POUND and will fit in your child’s bag – making them EASY to take in taxis. 
FYI: Bubble Bum & Ride Safer Travel Vest pass all the U.S. crash tests.
Backless booster for kids 40-80 lbs. Inflatable (but tough – made of life raft material). Very comfortable AND positions seat belt very well.
Functions like a booster to keep vehicle’s seat belt properly positioned. For kids 30-50 lbs (small) & 50-80 lbs (large). Note: strongly recommend using crotch strap to optimize lap belt positioning.
The Car Seat Lady 