Final answer:
The safest position for any child restraint in a car with airbags is the middle of the back seat to protect against the force of deploying airbags and from frontal collisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a car is equipped with airbags, the safest position for any child restraint is the middle of the back seat. Airbags deploy upon impact, as shown in Figures 8.4.3, 4.12, 7.12, and in the description of safety features like in Figure 8.2. The deployment of airbags is designed to minimize serious injuries to passengers during a sudden stop by extending the time over which the force acts on the occupants. While airbags offer significant protection to adults sitting in front, they can be harmful to children due to their intensity, which can cause greater injury to smaller, less protected passengers. Therefore, placing the child restraint in the middle of the back seat not only avoids this risk but also positions the child away from the impact of frontal collisions, which are the most common.