Revised recommendations prompt one third of parents to make changes.
WASHINGTON, March 21, 2012 - On the one year anniversary of the American
Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) updated car seat recommendations, a AAA
survey reveals that outreach efforts are working and parents are getting
the message. Over ninety percent of parents with a child under 13
reported being aware of the new guidelines, many having heard of the
change from their child's pediatrician.
By advising parents to keep toddlers rear-facing until age two, or
until reaching the maximum height and weight for the seat, and
recommending that older children between eight and 12 remain in a
belt-positioning booster seat until 4 feet 9 inches tall, the AAP
reinforced what safety groups had long advocated. According to AAA's
survey, parents heeded the group's advice, with one in three (35
percent) changing the way their children under 13 ride in the car.
"It's encouraging to find that many parents are aware of the
recommendations and are taking these safety interventions seriously,"
said Jill Ingrassia, managing director,
AAA Government Relations and Traffic Safety Advocacy. "Parents are
getting the message that moving a child to the next step prematurely is
actually a downgrade in safety. Children should remain in their car or
booster seat until they outgrow it."
According to AAA's survey, when parents with a child under two were
asked why they had not made a change based on the new recommendations,
82 percent reported no change was needed as they were already meeting or
exceeding the new guidelines. Other reasons commonly cited included
parents reporting their child was uncomfortable or unwilling to sit
rear-facing, parents' reluctance to return a child to a rear-facing
position after "graduating" to a forward-facing seat and the belief that
the new recommendations were unnecessary.
With car seat manufacturers offering a wide array of car seats
designed to accommodate larger toddlers in a rear-facing position, AAA reminds parents that the safety benefits
of keeping children rear-facing far outweigh the convenience of a
forward-facing seat. Studies show that children are five times less
likely to be injured in a crash when they are properly restrained in a
rear-facing car seat.
Surveyed parents of older children offered similar answers. Of those
who did not adopt changes based on the new recommendations, 77 percent
reported their child was already meeting or exceeding guidelines. Other
reasons cited for not making a change included the belief that the
recommendations were too strict, their unwillingness to return their
child to a booster seat after "graduating" to seat belt and concern over
whether the child's friends also used a booster seat.
"Seat belts are designed for adults and do not typically fit children
until they have reached 4 feet 9 inches tall," warned Ingrassia.
"Graduating a child from a booster seat too soon may result in injury,
or even death, in the event of a crash."
AAA developed a series of informational videos
in which experts walk parents step-by-step through the new car seat and
booster seat guidelines as well as proper seat belt use. With three out
of four child safety seats not properly installed, consulting an expert
can be critical to ensure that children are secured in the safest
manner possible. Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians are
available to help parents with their car seat installation through local
AAA offices, by visiting www.seatcheck.org or calling 866-SEATCHECK (866-732-8243).
As North America's largest motoring
and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 53 million
members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related
services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully
tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and
security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.
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