Last night my family and I participated in a local Relay for Life walk. One of the booths was sponsored by the police and they were fingerprinting children. While my dk's and I were at the booth I asked the officer doing the printing about our carseat/booster seat laws partly because I was curious what our laws state and also because I'm getting ready to move my youngest (age 6 and around 40lbs) into a new booster. During our little chat I mentioned that my oldest (age 10) is still in a booster and it is the bench style that simply elevates her up to fit the seatbelt better. He looked at my dd and told me that she shouldn't be using a booster seat and that it is very unsafe for her to still be in one of any type. She is not a tall girl, and although I don't currently know her height I'm absolutely positive that she is under 4'9" and she weighs just under 70lbs. Was the officer correct? I though it was safer for her to be in a booster until she was 4'9" and 80lbs, but maybe I'm remembering my facts wrong. I hope you can clear this up for me. TIA

By Trina~moderator on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 04:29 pm:

The officer is wrong. My guess is that he is not a certified CPS Tech and doesn't know what he's talking about. He should not be giving out child passenger safety information!

Kids are safest in a booster seat until at least 4'9" and can pass the 5 Step Test.
More booster info: BoosterSeat.gov

My DS is 9.5, 4'6", 73 lbs. and still in a booster because he doesn't pass the 5 Step Test without it.

Child Passenger Safety and Car Seat Resources

State Child Restraint Laws
As you can see, they vary A LOT. It's not about laws, it's about lives. It's best to follow the current child passenger safety recommendations.

By Tunnia on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 08:38 pm:

Thank you very much for the info and the links! I thought I remembered you giving different advice before. Dd will remain in her booster until she passes the 5 step test.