Do you know how to keep your youngsters safe while driving?

Do you know how to keep your youngsters safe while driving?

The Tulare County Association of Governments provided these guidelines and a checklist for drivers to review.

Children are required by law to be in a car seat or a booster seat in the back seat of the vehicle until they are 8 years old (California Vehicle Code Section 27363). But does that mean a seatbelt alone is the safest option for your child when they are 8, 9, or even older? 

The 5 Step Test is a great tool to help parents know if their child is ready to come out of a booster seat - or not.

The 5-Step Test:
First, have the child get ready for a “pretend” ride by sitting in the car and buckling up with the lap and shoulder belt in the back seat. And then answer the following questions:

1. Is the child sitting tall so his/her whole back is touching the seatback? If not, have the child move all the way back before continuing.
2. Do the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the seat?
3. Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4. Is the lap belt touching the tops of the legs?
5. Can the child sit like this for the whole trip?

If the answer to any of these questions is “No,” the child needs a booster seat to ride safely in the car. Remember, the point of boosters is to improve belt fit (and comfort) in the car until the child fits appropriately in the vehicle seat belt alone.

This test was developed by SafetyBeltSafe USA, and the test and graphics were shared by Kate Bernacki and Claudia Angel of the California Department of Public Health Vehicle Occupant Safety Program.