The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released new report on booster seats. This report is NOT based on crash tests, but rather on the positioning of the belt.
The Institute doesn't conduct vehicle crash tests to evaluate boosters because boosters don't do the restraining in a crash. It's the fit of the belt that's important.
According to the findings, 8 booster seats are not recommended at all. While this number is down from the findings last year - 36 were found to be in the middle.
Even though poor performers make up a smaller percentage of boosters evaluated this year, 36 fall in the middle because they don't consistently fit belts well on most kids in most cars, minivans, and SUVs. Most of these are backless boosters with good lap belt scores but not good shoulder belt scores.
NHTSA only ranks booster seats on how easy they are to use. Further, crash tests do not measure the fit on the child. With each child's height and weight variance it can be difficult ot find the booster seat that has the correct fit for your child.
Belts do the main job of keeping kids in boosters safe in crashes, but belts along with vehicle seats are designed for adults, not children, so it's important for boosters to lift kids into position for lap/shoulder belts to provide proper restraint. Children 4-8 who ride in boosters are 45 percent less likely to sustain injuries in crashes than children restrained by belts alone. (read the article)
A a side note NHTSA reminds the public of Child Passenger Safety Week (September 19-25).
During our 2010 CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY (CPS) WEEK, parents and caregivers are urged to verify that their child safety seats are properly installed and correctly used. Read more
If your child has suffered injuries due to negligence of another, please contact the Law Office of D. Hardison Wood. 1-877-NCLAW-411. (1-877-625-2941)
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