newsroom
Horizons Public Affairs AAA Home Contact Us
       
Save Money on Gas!
AAA's 2008 "Your Driving Costs"
Download your copy now
newsrelease
horzions
gaspricetool
cardoctornav
trafficsafety
brochures
schoolsafe
comoutreach
teendriv
drivingschool
seniormobile
occupprotect
ottoclub
aaahistory
government
 

Find A Child Passenger
Safety Educator
cover


A Brief History
of AAA
Old AAA Car
boosterseatawareness childpassenger malegistact rilegistactivity graduatedlicense
motorlaws nhtsa maemmissions riemmissions
boosterhead
Finding the Perfect Fit for Your Child

boosterseatAccording to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for children from ages 5 to 14. Studies show that most of these children were either unbuckled or improperly restrained in vehicles.

Even if your child has outgrown his or her forward-facing child safety seat, your child may have not grown enough to properly fit in a lap-shoulder safety belt, which has been designed with an adult’s fit and comfort in mind.

“A belt that does not fit properly can ride up on a child’s abdomen and cause internal organ damage or lead to neck or head injuries in event of a crash,” said John Paul, Manager, Traffic Safety, AAA Southern New England.

Belt-positioning booster seats have been developed to help address this gap in protection for children. Booster seats help raise your child up and properly position the lap portion of the safety belt low across your child’s hips and upper thighs, and the shoulder portion of the belt safely across your child’s sternum and collarbone.

While more studies are currently being conducted by the government to determine all weight, age, and height parameters for the use of safety belts, there are certain recommendations that can be followed. AAA recommends a booster seat for children meeting the following criteria:

• A child who has outgrown the internal harness limitations or height limitations of a forward-facing child safety seat.

• Within the weight range of 40 to 80 pounds but under the height of 4 foot 9 inches.

• Within 4 to 8 years of age and is at least 35 inches tall.

• Children who cannot sit with their backs against the vehicle seat and their knees bending at the edge of the seat cushion without slouching.

• The shoulder belt crosses in front of your child’s neck and is not centered across your child’s chest, collarbone, and shoulder.

• The lap belt rides up onto his or her abdomen and won’t remain low across your child’s hips and upper thighs.

• A child who does not fit properly in the vehicle safety-belt system.

There are currently a few types of booster seats available on the market. High-back belt-positioning booster seats offer head protection for use in vehicles that do not offer head restraints. Backless booster seats can be used in vehicles where a head restraint is available for your child. Combination seats are available with an internal harness system to be used until your child reaches the limits for harness use. After removing the harness, the combination seat can be used as a high-back belt-positioning booster seat. Most models available on the market offer shoulder-belt positioning guides to help keep the shoulder portion of the belt properly placed on your child. Important: All belt-positioning booster seats must be used with a lap-shoulder safety belt.

Always refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual and child safety-seat instruction manual when installing your booster seat. Remember, the back seat is the safest location for children age 12 and under.

Belt-positioning booster seats are an important step when transitioning out of forward-facing child safety seats. To ensure your child’s safety, be sure not to skip a step. For more information on your state law or correct usage recommendations, contact your local AAA club.

<<<Back to Government Affairs







Seated, Safe & Secure
In today’s highly mobile society, children travel more than ever. Yet southern New England roads and the vehicles that travel on them are not designed with children in mind.

With the wide range of child safety seats available and the puzzling installation instructions that come with them, it’s enough to confuse any parent or care giver. Although the nation has made significant strides in child passenger safety during the past 25 years, many more improvements are still needed.

AAA is committed to reducing the number of children killed or injured in motor vehicle accidents, which in 2002 was more than 2,000 children age 14 and under killed and more than 250,000 injured. On the average, that is six children killed and 720 injured each day making motor vehicle crashes the number one killer of children in the United States.

Through AAA’s award winning “Seated, Safe & Secure” public service campaign, AAA and its associates across North America are working to raise awareness of the problem and close loopholes in child passenger safety laws. To address gaps in state laws, AAA is calling on lawmakers to review, and if necessary, amend existing occupant protection legislature to ensure all children under the age of 18 are protected.

AAA also recognizes that compliance with occupant protection laws requires public education and support. To increase public understanding of the different types of car seats available and how to use them correctly, AAA conducts safety seat checks and offers educational materials. AAA also works with law enforcement agencies to ensure state laws are being properly enforced.

AAA Southern New England has several brochures and other safety materials addressing child passenger safety and they can refer members to certified installation technicians in the area. For more information contact, Traffic Safety Manager John Paul at (401) 868-2000 ext. 2121.

<<<Back to Government Affairs

 
©2008 AAA Southern New England, all rights reserved