Booster seat evaluations for 2012 released

Posted at: 10/25/2012 6:44 AM

There's some encouraging news from a highway safety group about keeping your child safe while riding in a car.
 
Test results being released today by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety are providing a boost for booster seats.
      
Ann McCartt of the IIHS said, “What we found is boosters are doing a much better job than they did just a few years ago."
 
Indeed, in 2008, the Institute could only find 10 booster seats worthy of its "best bet" rating. Today there are nearly 50 including 12 models introduced this year, like the Graco Turbobooster and the Harmony Highback.
 
The Institute these and others allow the lap belt to fit tightly over the thighs. McCartt said, “It's not riding up on the tummy which is prone to injury in a crash and the shoulder belt is fitting snuggly across the center of the shoulder. It's not riding off to the side, it's not riding up on the neck."  
 
Manufacturer Dorel Juvenile Group has five of its booster seats on the Institute's "best bet" list.
But two others -- the Safety 1st All-in-One and Alpha Omega Elite were the only two "not recommended" because the institute says they leave the lap belt too high on the abdomen and the shoulder belt too far out on the shoulder.
 
In a statement Dorel said it stands behind all of its seats that have been proven to protect children in real-world situations and real-world crashes.
 
Boosters are generally intended for four to eight year olds who weigh up to 80 pounds.  
 
A detailed list of booster seats tested can be found here.

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