Booster seat study summary
A study by Doctors at Starship Children's Hospital has shown that children are being taken out of their car restraints far too soon. Booster seats should be used until the child fits an adult seatbelt, usually between 9-12 years of age. Some of the findings of the report are as follows:
1. Children are being taken out of car restraints far too soon.
2. Booster seats should be used until the child fits an adult seatbelt, usually between 9 and 12 years of age.
3. We are looking to the New Zealand Government to review the legislation covering passenger restraint for children to the age of 12.
Statistics
1. 20 New Zealand children per year die as passengers in cars.
2. 15 child passengers each year are admitted seriously ill to the Intensive Care unit at the Starship.
3. Our research shows that
All 4 and 5 year olds
90% of 6 to 8 year olds
50% of 9 and 10 year olds
10% of 11 and 12 year olds
need booster seats.
4. Primary school age children are three times less likely to be injured in a booster seat than with an adult seat belt alone.
International Comparison
1. Great Britain has just passed legislation requiring children to remain in booster seats up to the age of 12 or a minimum of 135cm in height. (www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk )
2. U.S.A. Similar legislation exists in an increasing number of States. (www.aaafoundation.org )
3. Australia and Canada are both working towards booster seat legislation.
The tool used to assess “Fit” for the study
Boosters Are For Big Kids |
Most kids need to ride in a booster seat from about age 4 until at least age 8-10. |
If your child isn’t using a booster, try the simple test below the next time you ride together in the car. You'll probably find that your child is not yet ready to use a safety belt without a booster. |
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The 5-Step Test.
1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3. Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
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If you answered "no" to any of these questions, your child needs a booster seat to make both the shoulder belt and the lap belt fit right for the best crash protection. Your child will be more comfortable, too! |
The back seat is the safest part of the car for all passengers. Recent research shows that children should ride in the back seat until they reach age 15.
A reproducible copy of this flyer is available in PDF format.
This page is also available in Spanish.
See more information on Boosters.
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SafetyBeltSafe U.S.A. • P.O. Box 553, Altadena, CA 91003 #630 (7/11/05) |
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