DPS: Parents Need To Put Children In Booster Seats

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is urging parents to put their children in booster seats.

According the Public Safety's Office of Traffic Safety, crash data reveals many parents are not using the safety seats that help seat belts fit children correctly and safety. In a 2011 survey, it was found only 64 percent of parents and caregivers place children in booster seats.

Since 2008, of the 10 children killed in crashes, only two were in booster seats. Of the 6,170 children in a booster and in a crash, 84 percent were not injured.

"Traffic crashes are the leading killer of Minnesota children and one reason for this is parents are rushing children into a riding in just a seat belt before the child is tall enough," says Heather Darby, DPS Office of Traffic Safety child passenger safety program coordinator. "Booster seats are critical to prevent improperly fitting seat belts, which can result in serious and fatal injuries."

In Minnesota, it is the law for children to ride in booster seats after outgrowing the forward-facing harnessed restraint. It is safest for children to ride in a booster seat until they are 4-foot-9-iunches tall or at least 8 years old.

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