Nothing keeps a child safer in a car than a properly installed car seat. Yet more than two-thirds of all car seats are improperly installed, and just 1 in 5 parents and caregivers seek expert help to install a seat or safely secure a child in that seat, according to new research from AAA and the National Safety Council.
In advance of National Child Passenger Safety Week, Sunday, Sept. 21 through Saturday, Sept. 27, AAA is reminding every parent and caregiver that it is critical to keep young children properly secured in a car seat appropriate for their age, height and weight — and certified experts are available to help.
“Despite their best intentions, many parents and caregivers are transporting children in car seats that won’t perform optimally in a crash due to installation errors or improper use,” said Mark Schieldrop, Senior Spokesperson, AAA Northeast. “Many parents are also moving children from rear-facing to forward-facing too soon, transitioning to booster seats too quickly and stopping child restraint use altogether far too early.”
From 2019 to 2023, more than 3.9 million children ages 11 and under were involved in car crashes, resulting in 516,000 injuries and 2,800 deaths, according to AAA’s analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. When used properly, child restraints reduce fatalities by 71% for 1-year-olds and younger and by 54% for children ages 1 to 4.
Data from the National Digital Car Seat Check Form reveals that, in 2024:
- 23% of children moved to booster seats too soon.
- 89% of children transitioned to a seat belt too soon.
- 81% of forward-facing car seats were not used correctly.
- 65% of rear-facing car seats were not used correctly.
In Massachusetts, 93% of children transitioned to an adult seat belt too soon, and 22% transitioned to a booster seat too soon.
In New York, 97% of children transitioned to an adult seat belt too soon, and 22% transitioned to a booster seat too soon.
In Rhode Island, 95% of children transitioned to an adult seat belt too soon, and 20% of children transitioned to a booster seat too soon.
For parents with car seats:
- The most common car seat installation error is a seat that’s too loose. If you can wiggle the seat more than an inch in any direction, it’s too loose. A properly installed seat should be rigid in-place.
- Remember that booster seats are needed for children who’ve outgrown a car seat but aren’t tall enough to sit with their feet flat on the floor. If the seat belt crosses their neck, they need a booster seat to prevent serious injuries — even in minor crashes.
- Children should remain rear-facing for as long as possible, at least until age 2.
- To ensure proper installation, review the car seat owner’s manual and visit the manufacturer’s website, which often features helpful video instructions.
- Seek help from a certified child passenger safety technician and/or attend a car seat check event.
AAA Northeast is a not-for-profit auto club with offices in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire and New York, providing nearly 6.8 million local AAA members with travel, insurance, finance and auto-related services.
