New crash data from the American Automobile Association (AAA) reveals child safety seat and booster seat use declines sharply with age, starting when kids are just 3 years old. Between 2020 and 2024, 78 percent of 3-year-olds injured in car crashes were riding in a child safety seat or booster seat. By age 6, however, less than half were.
This steep decline in child restraint use is concerning because many children have not yet outgrown the need for a car seat or booster seat based on their size and development. New data from the National Digital Car Seat Check Form (NDCF) found that 86.5 percent of children evaluated during child safety seat inspections in 2025 had transitioned to an adult seat belt too soon.
“Parents spend years protecting their children, and that shouldn’t stop just because their little ones aren’t so little anymore,” said AAA spokesperson Kellan Howell. “At AAA, we’re working to save lives by helping families make informed choices. If a seat belt doesn’t fit your older child correctly, then it’s likely that a booster seat is still the safest choice, and it’s okay to let them stay little a little while longer.”
While progress has been made, car crashes remain a leading cause of death for children. Between 2020 and 2024, more than 3.7 million children were involved in crashes nationwide. During that same time, more than 500,000 children were injured and more than 2,800 were killed.
When used correctly, child restraints are highly effective. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and by 54 percent for toddlers in passenger cars. Yet many children transition out of the appropriate restraint before they’re ready, underscoring the importance of choosing the right seat for every stage of a child’s development.
“As children develop and grow, it is vital to take proper steps to ensure their safety at every age,” said Angela Brown, senior director of driver safety training at the National Safety Council. “Children ages 10 to 12 may appear ready for an adult seat belt, but many still need booster seats to ensure the seat belt fits properly and safely. Parents and caregivers can schedule a free visit with a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician in their area or online to make sure their child’s restraint system is right for their size and developmental needs.”
Inspection data from the NDCF reinforces the need for continued education as children grow. Nearly three-fourths (73.7 percent) of car seats inspected by certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians in 2025 were installed or used incorrectly. Yet only one in five parents and caregivers report seeking expert assistance with car seat installation or use, highlighting the value of having seat assessments conducted by a trained technician.
While many families seek help before a baby is born or during the first year of life, fewer return for follow-up checks as children grow, even though more than 80 percent of forward-facing seats inspected were being used incorrectly. The report identified the most common issues among poor car seat use, including:
- Car seats installed too loosely.
- Failing to use the top tether strap with forward-facing car seats.
- Harness straps that are too loose.
AAA recommends parents and caregivers keep children in the right restraint for their age, height and weight—and don’t rush the transition to the next stage. It also recommends using the top tether strap whenever possible on forward-facing car seats and making sure the harness is snug enough that you cannot pinch excess webbing at the child’s shoulder.
If your child is restrained using a seat belt, check that the lap belt sits low across the hips and the shoulder belt crosses the center of the chest and shoulder. Make sure their back is against the vehicle seat, their knees bend over the edge of the seat, and that they can stay like this the whole trip.
