Kids Moving Out of Booster Seats: Too Many Too Soon

Boosters 45% More Effective Than Seat Belts Only

by John Michaelson/TNS

AUSTIN, Texas – Children often want to act like grownups, but safety advocates say having children ride in cars the way mom and dad do is something that should be put off for as long as possible.

A new study from Safe Kids Worldwide finds the majority of parents are moving their children to seat belts before they are big enough.

Kate Carr, president and CEO of Safe Kids Worldwide, says that’s troubling because booster seats can reduce injuries by 45 percent over seat belt use alone.

“If there were to be a crash and they weren’t in a booster seat, but just in a regular seat belt, they could likely suffer internal abdominal injuries or face or neck injuries caused by the belt tightening during the impact of the crash,” she stresses.

The survey also found one in five parents say they bend the rules when car pooling and allow children to ride without seat belts or an appropriate child safety seat.

In Texas last year, there were about 3,400 traffic crash fatalities, nearly 70 of them children age 10 or under.

A child should be at least 4 feet, 9 inches tall to ride with just a seat belt, and Carr suggests parents make a habit out of measuring their child as they grow.

“Know how tall your child is, and encourage them from an early age that ‘You’ll move out of the booster seat when you hit 4 feet, 9 inches tall,’” she says. “And when they’re 4 feet, 9 inches tall, make sure they’re buckled up every ride, every time – and that includes parents, too.”

Carr adds that proper car-seat installation is also critical for maximum safety.