Triple-A and National Safety Council Urge Action as Car Seat Usage Declines After Age Three

Triple- A and the National Safety Council are raising awareness about a spiking trend in car seat safety. Crash data shows a notable decline in the use of child seats and booster seats once children reach the age of three.

According to data from Triple-A, nearly 90 percent of parents in Tennessee are moving their children to adult seatbelts too soon, while almost 23 percent are transitioning to booster seats prematurely. 

“Many times, we find that parents are eager to turn their young children forward-facing in their car seats too soon. This is because young children’s bodies are still underdeveloped. Children under the age of two who ride forward-facing are at a greater risk of head, neck, and spinal cord injuries if involved in a collision,” said Megan Cooper, a spokeswoman for AAA.

As we observe National Child Passenger Safety Week, experts urge parents to double-check that their children are in the correct safety seat for their age and size