Is your child ready to ditch the booster seat? Experts say: Not so fast

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah law states that if your child is 8 years old, they can transition from a booster seat to a regular seatbelt. But child safety experts say age alone isn't enough to determine whether they're truly ready.

According to the Utah Safety Council, nearly 80% of child safety seats are used incorrectly — a statistic that drives safety advocates to educate parents on proper car seat use, especially during Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week.

So how do you know when it's time to make the switch?

Linsey Miller, a certified passenger safety technician instructor with Salt Lake County, said parents should follow a 5-point seatbelt fit test — a simple checklist that could save lives.

The points of the seatbelt fit test go as follows:

• Back against the seat: Your child should be able to sit comfortably all the way back.
• Knees bend naturally: Their knees should bend over the edge of the seat without slouching.
• Lap belt position: The belt should lie across the hips or upper thighs — not the stomach.
• Shoulder belt placement: It should rest across the shoulder and collarbone, not the neck or face.
• Feet flat on the floor: Their feet should touch the floor of the vehicle.

"It's important we're keeping our children in seats that fit correctly in order to protect them," Miller said.

Why it matters

Children who transition too early often end up sitting improperly — like tucking the shoulder belt behind their back or having the lap belt ride up onto their stomach, which can cause serious internal injuries in a crash.

"This is one battle we should choose to pick with our children," Miller added. "Their safety is the most important thing to us."

Even if your child insists they're ready to be a "big kid," experts say sticking with the booster seat until they pass the fit test is worth the fight.

Visit clickit.utah.gov for more resources and to see the full, five-point fit guide.

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