May is a time filled with caps, gowns, and celebrations as children across the community reach important milestones. But while many are preparing to “graduate” from one stage of life to the next, safety experts are reminding families that one important graduation shouldn’t be rushed: transitioning from a booster seat to an adult seatbelt.
The Kid Safe Initiative encourages parents and caregivers to take a closer look before making the switch. While it may be tempting to move children into an adult seatbelt as they get older, many children are not physically ready for this transition until they are between 8–12 years old and about 4 feet 9 inches tall.
“Just because a child is growing doesn’t mean they’re ready to move out of a booster seat,” said Kathy Lostroh, County Extension Agent for Family & Community Health for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. “Seatbelts are designed for adults—not children— and improper fit can increase the risk of serious injury in a crash.”
A properly fitted seatbelt should lie across the upper thighs, not the stomach, and the shoulder belt should rest snugly across the chest and shoulder, not cutting across the neck or slipping off the shoulder. Children should also be able to sit all the way back against the vehicle seat with their knees bent comfortably at the edge without slouching and their feet flat on the floor.
Rushing this transition can lead to what safety experts call “seatbelt syndrome,” a pattern of injuries that can occur when a seatbelt does not fit correctly. Booster seats play a critical role in positioning the seatbelt properly to protect growing bodies.
Caregivers are encouraged to follow the “5-Step Test” to determine if a child is ready to safely ride without a booster: 1. Does the child sit all the way back against the vehicle seat?
2. Do the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the seat?
3. Does the seatbelt lie across the upper thighs, not the stomach?
4. Does the shoulder belt cross the middle of the chest and shoulder, not the neck or face?
5. Can the child stay seated like this for the entire trip?
If the answer to any of these questions is “no,” the child should continue using a booster seat.
As families celebrate milestones this spring, safety should remain a top priority. Ensuring your child is properly restrained every ride is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect them on the road. For more information or to schedule a car seat or booster seat check, contact Kathy Lostroh with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Lamb county or visit savemewithaseat. org to schedule an appointment with a Traffic Safety Specialist with TxDOT. You can also search buckleup.tamu.edu to find a car seat fitting station near you that has child passenger safety technicians to help you decide the best options for your family.
Don’t rush the ride— make sure your child is truly ready before graduating to a seatbelt.