What Car? Q&A - Rear side airbags: dangerous for kids?

Q: I'm looking to buy a new Volkswagen Passat estate. Rear side airbags are an optional extra. The rear passengers will be children aged 11, four and seven months. I'm aware of the dangers of placing rear-facing child seats in front of an airbag, but is there any risk associated with rear side airbags?
Martin Willis

A: You're quite right that rear-facing child seats should never be placed in the front seat.

Side airbags shouldn't pose a risk to children sitting in the back of a car, however, providing the children are using the correct restraint for their age, and that it is fitted properly.

In fact, research conducted by the Transport Research Laboratory for the Department for Transport suggested that they may offer a benefit in some circumstances.

It's important to make sure the child seat doesn't rest against the car door, though, and that your child can't lean out of the seat towards the door.

New safety rules come into force in September that will mean that children have to use an appropriate child seat until they reach 12 years old and 1.35 metres (4ft 5in) in height.