40 Seats and Restraints
If an older child cannot meet all criteria in
the seat belt fit test below, then the booster
seat is appropriate for the child, but this
vehicle is not suitable for a child restraint
seat. Transport the child in another vehicle.
.
Sit all the way back on the seat. Do the
knees bend at the seat edge? If yes,
continue. If no, transport the child in a
booster seat in another vehicle.
.
Buckle the lap-shoulder belt. Does the
shoulder belt rest on the shoulder? If yes,
continue. If no, transport the child in a
booster seat in another vehicle.
.
Does the lap belt fit low and snug on the
hips, touching the thighs? If yes, continue.
If no, transport the child in a booster seat
in another vehicle.
.
Can proper seat belt fit be maintained for
the length of the trip? If yes, continue.
If no, transport the child in a booster seat
in another vehicle.
Q: What is the proper way to wear seat
belts?
A: An older child should wear a lap-shoulder
belt and get the additional restraint a
shoulder belt can provide. The shoulder
belt should not cross the face or neck.
The lap belt should fit snugly below the
hips, just touching the top of the thighs.
This applies belt force to the child's
pelvic bones in a crash. It should never
be worn over the abdomen, which could
cause severe or even fatal internal
injuries in a crash.
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained in a rear
seating position.
In a crash, children who are not buckled up
can strike other people who are buckled up,
or can be thrown out of the vehicle. Older
children need to use seat belts properly.
{
Warning
Never allow more than one child to wear
the same seat belt. The seat belt cannot
properly spread the impact forces. In a
crash, they can be crushed together and
seriously injured. A seat belt must be
used by only one person at a time.
{
Warning
Never allow a child to wear the seat belt
shoulder belt under both arms or behind
their back. A child can be seriously
injured by not wearing the lap-shoulder
belt properly. In a crash, the child would
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