Walk Away From a Car Accident
The uncomfortable hump in the backseat of a car is the spot where no one wants to sit, but experts say it's actually the safest for passengers. University of Buffalo researchers examined fatal automobile crashes in the United States between 2000 and 2003 when someone was riding in the middle seat. Factoring in variables--including weather conditions and the age and type of vehicle--they found that the rear middle seat was 16% safer than any other place in the vehicle. Overall, they discovered that riding in the back is 59% to 86% safer than riding in the front, and riding on the hump is 25% safer than riding in the rear window seats.

And for those people sitting in the driver's seat: If you're searching for the safest vehicle, you might want to avoid cars with dark paint colors. In a study of 17 years of automobile crashes that resulted in death, injury, or serious damage, Australian researchers found that white cars were less likely to be involved in accidents than those of any other color. Compared with white cars in daylight hours, black cars had a 12% higher crash risk; gray, 11%; silver, 10%; blue and red, 7%. At dawn or dusk, black cars had a 47% higher crash risk than white cars; gray, 25%; silver, 15%.

PARADE January 11, 2009

Booster Seats and Seat Belt Safety Tips

Booster Seats for Older, Bigger Kids

• Use a booster seat with the vehicle lap AND shoulder safety belts until your child passes the Safety Belt Fit Test.

• Vehicle seat belts are designed to fit an average-sized adult. Children usually need a car seat or booster seat until they are about 4 feet 9 inches tall and weigh between 80 and 100 pounds to get the best protection from a seat belt. Many children will be between 8 and 12 years of age before they meet these heights and weights.

• Use a car seat or booster seat correctly in a back seat every time your child rides in a car.

• Older kids get weighed and measured less often than babies, so check your child’s growth a few times a year. Generally kids will need to use a booster until they are about 4 feet 9 inches tall and weigh between 80 and 100 pounds. They may be 8-12 years of age before this occurs.

• Booster seats are not installed the same way car seats are, a booster seat uses no harness. They sit on the vehicle seat and are used to properly position the adult seat belt for an older child.

• Never place the shoulder belt under the child's arm or behind the child's back.

• Be sure all occupants wear safety belts correctly every time. Children learn from adult role models.

• Tell all drivers who transport your bigger child that booster seat or car seat use is a must when your child is in their vehicle.

• Never leave children alone in a vehicle.

When your child reaches 4 feet 9 inches and 80 to 100 pounds, use the Safety Belt Fit Test to determine if the child is big enough to use the adult seat belt without a booster. Use the Safety Belt Fit Test on every child under 13.

The Safety Belt Fit Test

• Have your child sit in a back seat with their bottom and back against the vehicle’s seat back.  Do the child’s knees bend at the seat’s edge?  If yes, go on. If not, the child must stay in a booster seat.
  
  
• Buckle the seat belt.  Does the lap belt stay low on the hips?  If yes, go on.  If it rests on the soft part of the stomach, the child must stay in a booster seat.
  
  
• Look at the shoulder belt. Does it lay on the collarbone and shoulder? If yes, go on. If it is on the face or neck, the child must remain in a booster seat.
  
  
  • Never put the shoulder belt under the child’s arm or behind the child’s back. Do not allow children to play with the shoulder portion of a seat belt. Treat it like any cord.
    
    
• Can the child maintain the correct seating position with the shoulder belt on the shoulder and the lap belt low across the hips? If yes, the child has passed the Safety Belt Fit Test. If no, the child should return to a booster seat and re-test in a month. 

SEAT BELTS

Once your child passes the Safety Belt Fit Test, require him or her to use seat belts in a back seat on every ride, whether or not you are there. A lap AND shoulder belt provides the best protection to your child and must be used on every ride.

• Move children from booster seats to seat belts in a back seat only after the child passes the Safety Belt Fit Test in every vehicle. Return your child to a booster seat if the safety belt does not fit perfectly.

• Use the Safety Belt Fit Test on any child you transport in your car.

• Make sure that everyone sits upright when using seat belts. Never let them lean against windows or car doors or lie down. Never put the shoulder belt under the arm or behind the back.

• Tell every driver who transports your child that seat belt use is a must when your child is in their vehicle.

• Teach your child to use a seat belt in a back seat in every vehicle he or she uses. This is an important habit to establish when the child rides in vehicles unsupervised by you.

• All children under age 13 should ride properly restrained in a back seat.

• Wear your seat belt correctly every time you are in a car. Children learn from adult role models.