Car Seats and Cabs

[mom2aPrincess&Pirate]

What are the rules with children and cabs in Florida? I know in New York City you don't have to install your car seat to ride in the back of a cab with your kids. I'm thinking the laws are different in Florida? If we don't have our car seats can we take a cab? Or, are there cabs with car seats installed that you can call?

I'm just wondering if we should bring our car seats from home and rent a car or if we should use Disney transportation most of the time to save money and take a cab from time to time when we need to get somewhere in a hurry.

 

[ruthfamilyvacationer]

I was wondering the same thing. . . taxis and DME.

 

[woody74]

Carseats aren't allowed on DME busses, or Resort buses either, I believe.

 

[all4fun]

What are the rules with children and cabs in Florida? I know in New York City you don't have to install your car seat to ride in the back of a cab with your kids. I'm thinking the laws are different in Florida? If we don't have our car seats can we take a cab? Or, are there cabs with car seats installed that you can call?

I'm just wondering if we should bring our car seats from home and rent a car or if we should use Disney transportation most of the time to save money and take a cab from time to time when we need to get somewhere in a hurry.

We never use a cab when traveling because of this. Cabs are just as likely to get into an accident as any other passenger vehicle, and seat belts on very small children can cause serious injuries. If they aren't in a seat belt at all they can also be seriously injured. Being on vacation does not make one immune to bad things happening, even in the most magical place on earth. I've seen enough accidents on DW property to know this is true. To me, not worth the risk. I have heard that Mears, the only taxi co allowed on Disney property, can bring car seats if needed, but I've also heard that they don't always follow through when requested so it's probably a crapshoot. I do believe that car seats are required by law in Florida in Taxi cabs. Other than that, Florida has crappy car seat laws because they are only required through age three IIRC. Children are safest in a 5pt until at least 4yrs and 40lbs and in a booster until they are at least 4'9". These are bare minimums, btw.

I was wondering the same thing. . . taxis and DME.

The Buses at DW including DME do not have seat belt therefore you cannot use car seats in them. Buses are a bit different though - they are not only at much less risk of being involved in a MVA due to size and being more visible, but they also have sheer mass on their side as well. The DME buses are coach buses which use compartmentalization to also protect its passengers. This is the same thing that protects children in school buses (and actually school buses are even safer because they are usually bright yellow and the seats are padded all the way around).

hth