Madison Reporter

Car accidents continue to be a significant cause of death and injury among children in the United States. In 2023, more than 1,000 children aged 14 and under died in motor vehicle crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Dr. Megan Yanny, a pediatrician at UW Health Kids, noted that many of these fatalities could have been prevented with proper use of car seats. "A properly fitted car seat can help prevent these fatalities because, of those who died in 2023, 64% were unrestrained," she said.

Child Passenger Safety Week highlights the importance of using the correct car seat or booster for a child’s age and size. Dr. Yanny emphasized the need to avoid moving children to the next stage too soon: "By far the biggest mistake parents make is to move their child to the next phase too early. We advise staying in a phase as long as possible to help protect kids’ growing bodies."

Improper restraint can lead to serious injuries such as spinal cord injuries, broken bones, concussions, traumatic brain injuries or even death. Dr. Yanny explained that parents may advance their child’s car seat stage for reasons including discomfort or pressure from peers: "Parents might move their kids up to the next stage of car seat for many reasons because their child might look cramped, they are getting car sick rear-facing, or their estimation of height and weight is off. But, the most common reason I hear is that kids ask and want to be like their peers or siblings."

The American Academy of Pediatrics provides guidelines based on current research for maximum safety. Dr. Yanny stated: "These recommendations can be a bit complicated because children grow at different rates, so the importance of age, height and weight will vary depending on the individual child. We encourage families to check with a pediatrician as they make car seat transitions."

Recommendations include keeping children younger than two years old in rear-facing seats in the back; switching to forward-facing seats with harnesses between ages two and four until reaching age four and 40 pounds; then transitioning to booster seats until a child reaches at least 4 feet 9 inches tall—usually between ages eight and twelve—and continuing back-seat travel until age thirteen due to airbag safety concerns.

Dr. Yanny also advised not reusing or donating car seats involved in crashes.

State laws may differ from medical recommendations; Wisconsin law allows children over eight years old—or above a suggested height—to stop using booster seats but does not set definitive requirements like those from pediatric experts.

Families seeking resources can contact The Safety Center at American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison for low-cost equipment and educational support through SafeKids South Central Wisconsin by emailing safekids@uwhealth.org or calling (608) 333-6087.