Keeping Tweens and Teens Safe in Vehicles

Why Booster Seats Matter

Booster seats are the most misused and misunderstood of occupant restraint devices. Often, children are transitioned to the booster seat too soon, or are transitioned into the vehicle seat belt, skipping the booster seat step, altogether. Here are few important facts to know.

• Adult seat belts do not fit children properly and often ride too high on a child’s abdomen or neck.
• Booster seats position the belt low on the hips and across the shoulder.
• Proper fit reduces the risk of abdominal and spinal injuries.

Booster Seats: A Critical Step for Growing Kids

Tweens — typically ages 9 to 12 – may look big enough for adult seat belts, but many still need booster seats to ensure the seat belt fits properly. Adult seat belts are designed for fully grown bodies, and a poor fit can lead to serious injuries in a crash.

Sharpen Your Skills

Take the Booster Seats and Seat Belts Mini Course. This free online learning takes about 30 minutes to complete. To train your staff and track course completions, group delivery options are available upon request.

Safety Tips for Every Ride

• Buckle up every time — no exceptions.
• Ensure the seat belt is snug and properly positioned across the thighs and collar bone.
• Make booster seat use a non-negotiable rule until your child passes the Johns Hopkins fit test.

When Should a Child Transition to the Vehicle Seat Belt?

A child should travel in a booster seat until they reach the maximum height or weight allowed by the manufacturer, are developmentally able to ride correctly in the vehicle seat belt alone and pass the Johns Hopkins Seat Belt Fit Test for the vehicle in which they are riding. Because vehicle seats are different in each vehicle, it is possible that a child will require a booster seat in one vehicle and not in another.

Signs Your Child Still Needs a Booster

• the seat belt rides up on the stomach or across the neck
• knees don’t bend comfortably at the seat’s edge
• the child’s feet do not land flat on the floor of the vehicle
• the child tries to place the vehicle shoulder belt behind their back or under their arm
• They slouch or shift to get comfortable

If any of these apply, your child likely still needs a booster seat. Remember: seat belt readiness depends upon proper seat belt fit, not the child’s age.