In the last few years, legislators in most states and provinces have acknowledged the need for age limits below which children need to use booster seats.  As the chart above shows, 7 is the age at which the highest number of states feel this is necessary.  However, almost as many states mandate an upper age limit that is lower than 7.

Canadians have both more stringent and more lenient legislation than Americans, depending on the province.  Prince Edward Island has the strictest law, requiring children to wait until they are at least 10.   And no, that is not because PEI children are smaller;  the country’s smallest province is simply not afraid to tell its residents what they can and cannot do.  Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, British Columbia and Newfoundland & Labrador have 9 as their upper age limit, while Ontario, the most populous province, tells children to wait until they are 8.  We should add that all six provinces mention 4’9′ (145cm) as the height requirement in their legislation, though if a child reaches the upper age limit, they are free (legally speaking) to use an adult seat belt.

At the other end of the scale are the Prairie provinces and the Territories:  Of the six, Alberta has the strictest law of this group, with an upper age limit of 6.

Quebec has no mandated age limit.  Instead, children must use a booster seat until they have a minimum seated height (measured from the seat to the top of the head) of 25″ (63 cm).

Most researchers use the child’s height as the most appropriate indicator of readiness for adult seat belts, and the popular Five Step Test advises to wait until children are 4′ 9″  tall and pass the safety belt fit test.  We checked the growth charts to see at which age children reach this height – for most children, it’s not before they reach the age of 11.

Isn’t that interesting?  Looking at growth charts, every single one of the states and provinces with age-based booster seat legislation set the bar lower than what researchers consider to be safe for kids.   In the event of an accident, do you think your child will be safely restrained using an adult seat belt at the age mandated by the law where you live?

Regardless of legal requirements regarding booster seat usage when renting a cab, the practical considerations are often a different kettle of fish.  For one thing, even if you are traveling with only one child, carrying a booster seat around the city can be cumbersome, to put it mildly.  For another, your taxi driver may not always be as accommodating as you had hoped.

We have been asking parents about their experiences, and this is what they advised:

• Plan your trip.  You might wish to call the taxi company beforehand to ask for a vehicle equipped with booster seats or to confirm that you will be bringing your own.
• If you are hailing a cab on the street, make sure the driver understands you need to install your booster seat before driving away, even if this is going to take a couple of extra minutes.
• Leave the cab door open when installing the seat so the driver does not drive away before you and your child are settled.
• If your driver is uncooperative, don’t hesitate to find another taxi.  Take down the vehicle number and do be sure to lodge an official complaint afterwards.
• Remember to tip the driver appropriately, especially if you received attentive service.
• If you are traveling with your own seat, don’t forget to take it with you when you get out of the cab!

What other advice do you have for taxi travel with children?

Most parents with children who have outgrown their child seat don’t think twice any more about graduating them into booster seats in the family car, but what are the legal requirements when it comes to taxis?   This is a great question, though the answer is not always as straightforward as you might think.  For some states, it’s downright difficult to track down!

We took a look at 6 large cities where taking a taxicab is commonplace.  In four of them, New York City, Baltimore, Chicago and San Francisco, the law exempts taxis from existing booster seat laws.  Technically, therefore, kids could get by with an adult seat belt.  Is this a good idea?  We don’t think so.

On the other hand, in Boston and Philadelphia, also large cities with high rates of taxi usage, the law considers taking a cab to be no different than regular passenger vehicles when it comes to child restraints.  While we welcome the intent of the law, this does not necessarily mean all cabs are equipped with appropriate booster seats.  In fact, most taxi drivers like to keep their trunks available for their passengers’ luggage, so they are unlikely to have a booster seat on hand for your child to use.

We feel that whether the law requires booster seats or not, children are likely to be safest when using their own booster seat.  That is the best – and often the quickest – way to ensure a proper fit.  Plus, you have the satisfaction of knowing the seat has not been involved in any accidents and how old it is.  For many parents, it is reassuring to know that only their child has used it.

If you live in any of these cities, what has been your experience with taxicabs?  What about other cities?

With the holidays coming up, many families are making travel plans.   We’ve put together a couple of pointers in case you’ve been wondering how to factor child seats into your trip:

• If you’re traveling out of state, do check the child restraint laws before you leave.  For cross-border travel using your own vehicle, the rules may be slightly different than for local residents, though you may be allowed to bring your car seat from home  – do check before you leave.   For example, in you are traveling out of the country to Canada, visitors to Ontario are told that:

You must follow Ontario’s child car seat rules if you are transporting an infant or a toddler, regardless of where your vehicle is registered.  If you are traveling in a vehicle registered in another jurisdiction, you are exempt from the booster seat requirement for the first 30 days that you are in the province.

You may use a child car seat or booster seat from your home jurisdiction if traveling in a vehicle registered in another jurisdiction.  If driving an Ontario-plated vehicle, you must use a seat that fully complies with Ontario’s child car seat laws.

• If you are traveling to a location with less regulation than where you live, please think carefully about your child’s safety.   We highly recommend you do what’s best for your child, not just the minimum required by the law.
• If you’re renting a vehicle, you may be considering bringing your own child seat with you.  Your child may be more comfortable with a familiar seat, but it can be bulky to travel with, especially if your trip involves flying to a vacation destination first.  Some people prefer to rent one when they pick up their rental vehicle.  Most rental companies provide child seats, though the price tends to add up quickly.  With the fees some companies charge, you may even find yourself paying more than the cost of a brand new seat!  If you do decide to rent, it is a good idea make an advance reservation.  Be sure to tell them your child’s age and size so they provide you with the appropriate seat.
• Another option is to rent a carseat from an independent rental company, usually for a weekly fee.  Normally they will deliver the seat to you on arrival at your destination.  This could be a more cost-efficient option if you’re planning to be away for more than a day or two.  There are rental services in many locations throughout the USA – a search on the term “carseat rental” shows there are many different providers.  One drawback of renting equipment from a third party is that it’s impossible to know for certain whether the seat has been involved in any accidents.  Use your best judgment to ensure you are dealing with a reputable provider, and accept delivery only if you feel comfortable that the seat is appropriate for your child’s needs.
• One last idea if your child is almost ready to move on to a new seat:  why not retire your old one before you leave home and purchase that new car seat you already have your eye on, immediately after your flight lands?  If you do this, you might want to research which stores have it in stock before you leave home, so you don’t waste any time before your vacation truly gets underway.

What do you normally do on vacation?  Have some great tips for other families?  We’d love to hear your tips and experiences in the comments below.

When the vehicle drivers used a seat belt, the odds were higher that children were correctly restrained in a booster seat.  On the other hand, children travelling with unbelted drivers were using booster seats only 1-2% of the time.

These findings came from a detailed study of all 14,571 children aged 4–8 involved in fatal frontal motor vehicle collisions in the USA between 1995 and 2005.  The data was obtained from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), a database created by The National Center for Statistics and Analysis and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

FARS contains records of motor vehicle collisions in the USA that involve the fatality of either an occupant of a motor vehicle or a non-motorist, such as a pedestrian or pedal cyclist who has been struck by a motorist and are killed in the crash.

Specifically, the researchers determined that in states with a booster seat law, children were 20% less likely to die in such accidents than in states without a law.  They were almost 60% more likely to be restrained, and more than 4 times more likely to be properly restrained.

It isn’t entirely clear whether children are likely to be better restrained in the car because of the fear of being caught on the wrong side of the law, or the positive effects of all the safety messages in the media that accompany booster seat legislation.  We think it’s probably a combination of both.  But perhaps it doesn’t even matter so much anymore.  Currently only 3 US states, 3 Canadian provinces and the 3 Canadian territories remain without booster seat legislation.  Certainly for the vast majority of us in North America, the law is clear and the message is consistent:  children need to be properly restrained.  Seat belts were designed for adults, and children need booster seats to raise them up sufficiently so the seat belt fits over the bony areas of the body, namely the hips and collarbone.  Otherwise, they are at greater risk for serious injuries or death in a crash.

This is a fascinating must-see clip from the Today Show that talks about the disabling injuries sustained by a seven year old who wearing an adult seatbelt when the car she was in was involved in a traffic accident. You will see exactly how seatbelt syndrome occurs. A must-see for all parents whose children have ever put their belt behind their shoulder. There is also an inside peek at some innovative inflatable seatbelts Ford may be using in the future.

To get the data, we downloaded the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) growth charts.  Their site has a lot of interesting stuff to check out, but for now we are limiting ourselves to height:

What does this tell us?  Well, about half of girls reach 4 foot 9” (145cm) a little after their 11^th birthday, which is slightly ahead of the boys.  Almost 90% of children have reached this age a little before their 13^th birthday.

What may surprise many parents and what the legislators may not have realized, is that only about 3% of children have reached the safe height to relinquish their booster seat by the age of 9.

While most booster seat regulation in North America requires children to wait until they are 8 before they can legally graduate to adult seat belts, it seems the law is way more lenient than what the seat belt manufacturers are telling us is good for our children’s safety in the event of an accident.

We’re excited to announce that the new Oobr™ is in production and has started shipping.  The latest addition to the Clek product line, Oobr is a full back booster seat designed with a removable back that easily converts to a backless booster to grow with your child:

Its Elemental Safety System™ is comprised of five structural safety elements: a rigid latch system, magnesium back frame, structural headrest with deep side wings, energy absorbing foam layer and belt guides, all designed to systematically secure and protect your child in the event of a collision.

The upholstery is made of Crypton^® Super Fabric, which is stain, moisture and bacteria resistant. It is easy to clean and the bottom seat cover is removable for machine washing too.  Check out the image gallery for a closer look at the six hip choices – which include Paul Frank’s irresistible Skurvy and Zoom Julius designs.  Whatever your child’s personality, there is an Oobr to match their style (or your car!):

A national report was released by SafeKidsUSA this month after observing drivers at 20 middle schools in 15 states.  The major finding was that one of every six drivers in school zones is distracted. Furthermore:

• Drivers on busy roads are 16 % more likely to be distracted than those driving on roads with less traffic.
• Female drivers are 21% more likely to be distracted in school zones than males.  While women as a group aren’t inherently worse drivers than men, most women we know would agree that multitasking is an integral part of their daily lives.
• Afternoon drivers are 22 % more likely to be distracted than morning drivers.  Perhaps somewhat counterintuitive, but it does help explain why one in three child pedestrian deaths occur between 3 and 7 p.m.
• Drivers not wearing seatbelts are 34 % more likely to be distracted than drivers who are buckled up.  Why?  The authors felt that drivers engaging in one risky behavior are more likely to engage in multiple unsafe driving behaviors.

Some of the distracting activities that might be going on include:  texting, using a cell phone or GPS, interacting with our kids or other passengers, adjusting one’s clothing or makeup, eating or drinking.  We could add a lot more examples, but you get the picture.

It is estimated that the risk of an accident while using a cell phone is comparable to driving with a blood-alcohol content of 0.08.  The risk associated with texting is almost 4 times higher.  In school zones we need to be constantly on the lookout for children crossing the road, swerving cyclists, and stop and go traffic.  Distractions in the car affect our ability to react quickly and safely.

It would be unrealistic to mandate eliminating all distractions while at the wheel.  But we can do a lot to make school zones safer:

• Slow down in school zones and be alert for children, particularly during school travel times.
• Never use your cell phone while driving.  It goes without saying that texting while driving is a complete no-no.  Always pull over safely first.
• Do what you can to maintain a calm and controlled atmosphere in the car at all times.

Do you have some good tips for other parents?  How does your child’s school ensure pedestrian safety?  Let’s start a conversation and take steps together to reduce the distractions that affect our ability to be safe drivers.

A study published in the August 2009 edition of the journal Injury Prevention looked at motor vehicle-related fatalities in Toronto involving children under the age of 18* and reported that:

• Almost 50% of collisions occurred during school travel times (07:00–09:00, 12:00–13:00 and 15:00–17:00)
• The highest proportion of collisions (37.3%) occurred among 10–14-year-olds
• Within school zones, collisions were more likely to occur among 5–9-year-old children
• The risk of collisions, particularly fatal ones, was highest in school zones and decreased as distance from schools increased
• Most collisions within school zones occurred at midblock locations versus intersections
• More child pedestrian collisions occurred during the school year (from September to June), with a drop in the summer (July and August). Perhaps a little surprisingly, there were fewer collisions during the winter months.

Now you may be thinking that these facts speak for themselves, since the highest concentration of children will always be found in school zones, during the school year and during school travel times.  But consider also that pedestrian injuries are a leading cause of injury and death in children, and account for almost 20% of motor vehicle-related fatalities.  Great progress has been made to improve safety of motor vehicles and their occupants, and this study targets an easily identified risk group.  The researchers felt a better understanding of the facts could enable better interventions around schools to help our children to be safer.

If you are a parent or an educator, the results of this study are helpful for teaching children to understand the very real dangers they may face every day while walking to and from school or the school bus.  Talk to them regularly about the risks and how to make their journey a safer one.  Encourage them to always cross the road at intersections, preferably with the help of a crossing guard.  If the school is on a busy street with fast moving traffic, or if there are insufficient safe crossing points, you may wish to raise your concerns to the principal or even the school superintendent, helping them develop safe and practical strategies that can save lives.   Many local police departments will be happy to send an officer to speak directly with students about road safety.  Ask if you may address your child’s class or even the entire school body.  You may wish to work with other parent volunteers to start a Kiss & Ride system.  Draft a safety message to be included in the school newsletter or on the website.

Oftentimes, children need to hear safety messages a number of times before they sink in, and not all parents are equally diligent, so it is certainly helpful to spread your safety message to as wide an audience as possible.

As drivers, we should also be especially alert when driving in school zones.  You may even consider taking a different route if this is an option.  The actions of school children are not always predictable and even a momentary distraction by either party could have fatal consequences.

For some excellent tips for both pedestrians and drivers in and around school zones, you may wish to refer to the SafeKidsUSA website.

*Warsh J, Rothman L, Slater M, Steverango C, Howard A. 2009. Are school zones effective?
An examination of motor vehicle versus child pedestrian crashes near schools. Injury
Prevention. 15:226-229.