Backward-facing car seat trend deemed dangerous by experts, urged not to imitate

A concerning trend has emerged on social media, with passengers seen sitting in the front seat of cars facing backward. This practice, often captured for video content, is drawing strong criticism from transportation safety experts who deem it highly dangerous.

Djoko Setijowarno, a transportation observer and advisor to the Indonesian Transportation Society, stated unequivocally that this trend poses a significant risk to safety and should not be copied. He stressed that public roads are shared spaces, and such behavior endangers not only the participants but also other road users. "It is very dangerous, do not imitate it," he warned.

Setijowarno further explained that this backward-facing posture often leads to passengers neglecting to use seatbelts correctly. He contrasted this with regulations in places like Singapore, where seatbelt use is mandatory for all occupants. The expert noted that in case of an accident, the potential for serious injury, particularly to the head and chest, is greatly amplified. Airbags, designed for forward-facing passengers, would not provide adequate protection in this scenario, potentially striking the passenger's back instead of their head and chest.

Beyond the seating position, activities like chatting or filming while the vehicle is in motion, often associated with this trend, can distract the driver and increase the likelihood of accidents. Setijowarno urged the public, especially young people, to avoid this dangerous trend, emphasizing that safety should never be treated as a game. He attributed such risky behaviors partly to a lack of early-stage safety education in Indonesia, suggesting the need for a dedicated safety curriculum from a young age.