When Child Passenger Safety Week rolls around each year, in addition to multilingual programs to encourage carseat use, special attention is always given to booster seats. According to national statistics, fewer than 20% of children ages 4-8 years (about 40-80 lbs.) use booster seats on a regular basis. Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta stated that the efforts to get children buckled up is "unacceptable," and that more attention must be paid to this important safety precaution. 

In 2006, Mineta announced a new federal initiative that will provide $25 million over the next four years to states that pass and enforce new or tougher booster seat laws, and made a point to announce the names of the 16 states that don't currently have such laws.  His advise to parents is this: "Just because they may not be the law of the land, does not mean that they should not be the law of your house."  In addition, the U.S. Department of Transportation has spent $285,000 for new billboard, radio and television advertisements to promote booster seat use nationwide.

"Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children age 2 to 14-years-old," says former National Highway Traffic Safety Administration head Dr. Jeffrey W. Runge, estimating that 20% of the victims are in the 4 to 8-year-old range of typical booster seat users.

Dr. Runge reminds parents that children who have outgrown child safety seats should use booster seats until they are at least 8 years or 57" tall. "Premature use of adult seat belts by children can result in serious abdominal and other injuries," he adds, because standard belts do not ride low on the hips of a child who slides forward, or fit snugly across a short child's chest. 

Since most states' child restraint laws do not distinguish between adult seat belts and booster seats, 30 organizations including the Ford Motor Company support the Boost America! Campaign to educate consumers about booster seat use.

There are many booster seat products out there, and according to the "2006 Child Safety Seat Ease of Use Ratings" from the NHTSA, the Cosco Alpha Omega and Eddie Bauer series, Evenflo Generations, Graco Platinum Cargo series, and Safety 1st Enspira are the best pick for convertible toddler carseat/booster combos.

Buying one means knowing how to install it. The universal LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system has standardized carseat and booster installation in most vehicles manufactured after September 2002. LATCH systems, which make it easier for parents to correctly attach a LATCH carseat to anchors built into the back seat rather than with seat belts, is mandatory on two rear seats of all vehicles, and on convertible carseats and toddler/booster seats. For more information about LATCH and a free carseat installation inspection, visit www.seatcheck.org.

Buckle Up America provides additional free online tools for safety advocates and parents.  Tools include tips for spreading awareness, links to helpful organizations, and a child passenger safety growth chart. For more information, try www.nhtsa.dot.gov.

Note: While carseats certified for use by the FAA remain the most effective restraint for children occupying their own airplane seats, neither the LATCH system nor booster seats (backless seats can crumple forward on impact) will provide enhanced safety during flight.