Most parents are probably aware that there are
new american recommendations suggesting that babies be kept rear facing until 2, rather than just until they are 12 months and 20 lbs. Tabetha is now 15 months and over 25 lbs, and still rear facing. We've discussed turning her to face forwards when she reaches the average weight of a 2 year old - about 27 lbs for a girl.
Those same recommendations are now saying that children should be in booster seats until approximately age 12, which seems absolutely ludicrous to me. I didn't have a lot to base that feeling on, though, until I watched
this video. I really recommend watching it - if nothing else, there is some really surprising footage of actual crash tests that I think you should see.
Now, Steven Levitt and the audience spend a lot of time focused on the younger age group, which was initially where my thoughts went too - after all, I don't have an older child. As I was thinking more about it though, I started wondering whether it was age that was the determining factor? size? what about rear vs. foreward facing, did that impact the results? the answers aren't in the talk, so I've turned my attention to the other end of the spectrum.
Booster seats range from $100cdn up to $300cdn+. Children can be moved to a booster once they are 40 lbs and about 40 inches tall - generally around 4 and a half years old. They have to stay in one until they are 9 years old or 4'9" tall, whichever comes first (in British Columbia - local laws may vary).
If Steven is right and normal car seat belts are just as safe or safer than car seats after the second birthday, why exactly are we spending the money? And more to the point, where are the studies proving Steven wrong, and justifying our governments MAKING us spend this money to possibly make our children less safe?
