In a study published late last year, researchers determined that children ages 4 to 8 are safer using booster seats than seatbelts alone when riding in cars. Specifically, after crash characteristics and other factors were accounted for, children in belt-positioning boosters were 45% less likely to sustain a serious injury in an accident.
The finding supports recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that children should use booster seats from age 4 until they're tall enough to fit properly in vehicle seats, which occurs when a child reaches 4'9" in height (around 8-12 years of age).
Read more on MedPage Today, which reported on the research.
