How should children be secured in a vehicle?

Children should be secured in a vehicle using appropriate child safety seats based on their age, weight, and height to ensure maximum safety. Different stages of a child's development necessitate different types of restraints, including rear-facing infant seats for the youngest passengers, forward-facing car seats for toddlers, and booster seats for older children until they are tall enough to use a standard seat belt safely.

This approach is supported by guidelines from safety organizations and legal requirements, emphasizing that standard seat belts are designed for adults and may not adequately protect younger, smaller passengers. Children who are not properly restrained are at a significantly higher risk of injury in the event of a collision. Using the correct safety seat tailored to the child's specific needs helps mitigate these risks, ensuring that the vehicle's safety features work effectively for the child's size.