Most Kids Are Moving Out of Booster Seats Too Soon, New Data ShowsFirst for AutosWhitney DanhauerFri, September 11, 2026 at 4:40 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleNewscom/MegaParents might be moving their kids out of booster seats before they're ready.New data from AAA published on September 1 found that 86.5 percent of children evaluated during car seat inspections in 2025 had switched to an adult seat belt too soon.AAA also analyzed nationwide crash data and found that the use of car seats and booster seats drops quickly as children get older. Between 2020 and 2024, 78 percent of 3-year-olds injured in crashes were using a child safety seat or booster seat. By age 6, that number had fallen to just 45 percent.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe problem is that a child's age isn't the only thing factored in when determining if they're ready to stop using a booster seat.According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, children should continue using a booster until an adult seatbelt fits them properly. That usually happens between ages 8 and 12, and a booster may be needed until a child is approximately 4 feet 9 inches tall.Newscom/MegaSo, how can parents tell when their child is ready to graduate from a booster seat?The lap belt of a car's seatbelt should sit across their upper thighs rather than their stomach, and the shoulder belt should cross the chest and shoulder instead of the neck or face. Children should also be able to sit with their back against the vehicle seat and their knees bent naturally over the edge.AdvertisementAdvertisementAAA recommends that parents avoid rushing kids into the next type of restraint simply because they're getting older. Parents who aren't sure can also have their child's seat and seatbelt fit checked by a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, who can be found by using the NHTSA's online locator.Read More From First For AutosThe Tire Pressure Number on Your Tires May Not Be the One You Should UseHow Gas Pumps Know to Shut Off When a Vehicle's Tank Is FullDrivers Feel More Pain at the Pump as Gas Prices Climb to $4.28 a Gallon as Oil Tops $100This story Most Kids Are Moving Out of Booster Seats Too Soon, New Data Shows first appeared on First For Autos. Follow First For Autos on Yahoo so you don't miss what's coming next.
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