Why are boosters important for children who have outgrown their car seats?

Boosters play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of children who have outgrown their car seats by helping to position the seatbelt properly across the child's body. When a child transitions from a car seat to a booster seat, it is essential that the lap and shoulder belts fit correctly to provide maximum protection during a crash. A booster seat elevates the child, allowing the seatbelt to sit low across the hips and not the abdomen, and the shoulder belt should lie across the shoulder and chest, not the neck or face. This correct positioning significantly reduces the risk of injury in the event of a collision, making boosters a vital step in child passenger safety.

While comfort, legality, and cost may be considerations when selecting a child restraint, the primary purpose of a booster seat is to ensure that the vehicle's seatbelt fits children properly, thereby enhancing their safety while traveling in a vehicle.