FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2005
CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8409
OR YOUR LOCAL SCHP CRO

SCDPS EMPHASIZES DANGER OF PLACING YOUNG CHILDREN IN ADULT SAFETY BELTS TOO SOON

FEB. 13-19 IS NATIONAL CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY WEEK

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety is organizing a grassroots’ letter and e-mail information campaign to educate parents and caregivers about the importance of placing small children in booster seats. Children 4 to 8 years old and less than 4 feet 9 inches tall are not ready for an adult seat belt only and should always ride in the back seat.  

While 94 percent of America’s toddlers are now regularly restrained, only a small percentage -- 10 to 20 percent -- of children ages 4-8 who should be restrained in booster seats are actually riding in them.

Children in this age group who are properly restrained in a booster seat are 59 percent less likely to be injured in a motor vehicle crash than children who are restrained by a safety belt alone..

“Most parents would never think of placing an infant in an adult seat belt,” said DPS Director James K. Schweitzer. “But once children graduate from their toddler seats, too often parents move them straight to an adult safety belt.  This is an all too common mistake that can result in death or debilitating injury to a child in the event of a collision.”

Why are adult belts dangerous to small children? In a traffic crash, the shoulder strap of an adult safety belt can engage across the neck or face of a child less than 4 feet 9 inches tall rather than the chest, which should sustain the force of the crash. There is also a greater risk of internal injury to children because an adult lap belt fits across the children’s stomach rather than their lap.

A booster seat works by elevating children so that the adult safety belt fit properly and can distribute the crash forces over the strongest parts of their body in the event of a crash. One study showed that children ages 2 to 5 who are moved to safety belts too soon are four times more likely to sustain a serious head injury than those restrained in booster seats.

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