How Long Should Children Be in Booster Seats?
Other People Are Reading
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State Laws
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Booster seat laws differ from state to state. Some states allow children who are 6 years old and weigh 40 lbs. to ride in vehicles without using booster seats, while other states require children to use booster seats until they are 8 years old and meet weight and height requirements.
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Child Safety
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "injuries of the head, neck, and spine, in addition to abdominal and internal organ damage" are possible when only seat belts are used by children ages 4 to 7 or booster seats aren't used by them. The data show the risk of injury for children between ages 4 and 7 is reduced by 59 percent when using booster seats instead of just seatbelts.
Bottom Line
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Although state laws vary concerning the age when a child should use a booster seat, experts such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend children use booster seats until they are 8 years old or 4 feet 9 tall.
References
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