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We care about our families. Understatement of the century, right? I mean, that’s exactly why check IIHS and NHTSA safety ratings before we buy family-friendly SUVs and cars. However, even with stellar ratings for crashworthiness and crash prevention, kids might not be safe on the road. A new analysis suggests that the child car seats and booster seats Americans rely on are often improperly installed and could be dangerous. 

AAA and the NSC found that 74% of child car seats and booster seats exhibited improper installation

Over 100,000 children sustained injuries in car crashes in 2022. It’s a sobering statistic. However, many of those injuries could have been mitigated with proper safety equipment. And not just the right equipment like a child car seat well within its service life, either. Booster and child car seats must fit to manufacturer’s specs to protect their precious cargo to the fullest. 

According to Forbes, a recent analysis from the National Safety Council (NSC) and the American Automobile Association (AAA) shed some light on the subject. A 2023 inspection of around 72,000 seats found that 74% of child car seats and booster seats fit improperly. 

Rhonda Shah, AAA, emphasized the importance of making sure your child has car seats or booster seats that fit their needs. “Just like new shoes and clothes, a growing child requires seat adjustments.” Unfortunately, the analysis suggests that many seats were too loose, failed to use the tether with proper connections, or had insufficiently tight child harnesses. 

Moreover, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the same agency behind the crashworthiness star system, found that proper installation of a sufficient car seat can reduce the likelihood of fatalities. The NHTSA concluded that proper use of these safety tools reduces fatalities by 54% for children under four. Proper fitment can also reduce fatalities by a staggering 71% for infants under one.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing child car seats or booster seats. That, or seek assistance from a Child Passenger Safety Technician or certified installers. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) highlighted the importance of proper seat installation in the video below.

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and M-ATVs. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with experience covering everything from sports cars to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations (IRG) from the University of Texas at Austin and has studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC).