The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has released the results of tests on 72 models of child safety “booster” seats, designed to keep older children properly restrained in automobiles. The booster seats are the next step after a traditional car seat for infants and young children. Booster seats are generally produced for youngsters ages four to eight. Booster seats are designed to simply raise children to the proper height so that an automobile’s standard safety belt will properly restrain them in the event of a crash.
Booster seats have not typically fared well in safety reviews. In past years, the majority of booster seats reviewed by the IIHS have failed, receiving “poor” ratings. This year, 21 of the reviewed booster seats performed well enough to earn a “best bet” rating from the organization, which indicates a high level of confidence in the product. An additional seven seats received a “good bet” rating. Eight seats were placed on the “not recommended” list.
The recommendations came just before National Child Passenger Safety Week, which was observed September 19-25th. The week, developed and promoted by the national Highway Traffic Safety Administration, promoted awareness about the importance of using proper child restraints in vehicles. “Seat Check Saturday” wound up the weeklong observance, with many cities and towns offering an opportunity for parents and caregivers to have a professional make sure their car seat is properly installed.
Our law firm sponsored a Seat Check Saturday event on September 25th from 9 a.m. to noon in Montgomery, Alabama. The free event was held at The Shoppes at EastChase, in the parking lot across from Storkland and The Name Dropper. A list of the booster seat ratings from the IIHS is available from our firm. You can get it on our website or by contacting Shanna Malone at Shanna.Malone@beasleyallen.com.
