Booster Seats: Still Needed after Age 4?

The August 2000 electronic issue of Pediatrics contains a study that looked at how many kids age 4 to 9 years use booster seats in cars (only 27.7% — only 10% by age 6). The authors asked the parents about their reasons for not using these seats, and the number one answer was that they thought that regular, adult lap/shoulder belts were safe for kids.

We know that regular, adult lap/shoulder belts make serious injury or death in a collision more than twice as likely. August is a big family month, and a very big month for car travel. It’s a great month to love your family by protecting your kids in the car.