New Study Highlights Ways to Increase Booster Seat Usage

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety recently sponsored research to determine the most effective methods to raise awareness and increase child booster-seat use in motor vehicles. Researchers found that education in combination with discount incentives or giveaways was most effective in increasing parents’ and care givers’ use and purchase of booster seats.

While the safety benefits of booster seats are well-known to many, even the most safety-conscious parents are often not aware of the need for booster seats or the danger their children face when improperly restrained in an adult safety belt.

“As children outgrow safety seats designed for younger children, many 4- to 8-year-olds are prematurely placed in adult safety belts instead of booster seats,” said Dennis Burke, director of AAA Safety & Education.  “In a crash, adult safety belts can cause serious or even fatal injuries for small children.”

While nearly all infants and 90 percent of children aged 1-3 routinely are restrained in safety seats, only 37 percent of children aged 4-8 use booster seats, according to an observational study commissioned by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Since children aged 4-8 are more likely to die in motor-vehicle crashes than from any other cause, increasing the use of booster seats is critically important.

Booster seats have been estimated to reduce the odds of sustaining significant injuries during a crash by 59 percent for children aged 4-7, according to a June 4, 2003, article in the Journal of the American Medical Association. AAA and other safety experts recommend that children use booster seats until the vehicle’s lap and shoulder belt can fit them properly — typically when they are at least 8 years old and approximately 4 feet 9 inches tall.

The Foundation’s report was released Feb. 15, in conjunction with Child Passenger Safety Week. AAA and the Foundation were joined by a representative of NHTSA to discuss the findings and announce the distribution of discount coupons provided by Babies ’R Us.

These coupons are good only at Babies "R" Us stores.  Members can save $10 on booster seats with a retail value of $40 or more.  The coupons expire April 30.   

Child Passenger Seat Checking Events

The AAA Safety & Education Department checks to see that parents are using their child seats safely, free, at the Independence Fire Station on the second Thursday of every month between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. (reservations requested). Call 216-606-6122.             Seat checking events are also held at the Great Lake GMC/Buick dealership on State Route 20 in Ashtabula just east of State Route 11 (next to the AAA office) on the third Saturday of odd-numbered months (reservations requested). Call 1-800-845-0375.

Greater Cleveland Safe Kids "Fit Stop" at Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, also checks child safety seats Monday through Thursday every week between noon and 3:00 p.m. (by appointment only). Call 216-884-2277 to make a reservation.

By Brian T. Newbacher