Many Florida children may not be riding as safely in their cars as parents think, according to new research released by AAA ahead of Child Passenger Safety Week.<\/p>\n
AAA found that many children are moving to booster seats and seat belts before they\u2019re ready, while many child restraints are not being used correctly.<\/p>\n
Data collected<\/a> during child passenger safety inspections in 2025 found that 95% of Florida children had moved to an adult seat belt before it fit correctly, while 32% had transitioned to a booster seat too soon.<\/p>\n The same research found that 72% of child restraints inspected in Florida were being used incorrectly. <\/p>\n Common issues such as loose harness straps, poor seat belt fit, or improper installation can reduce the protection a child restraint is designed to provide during a crash.<\/p>\n This research is based on child passenger safety inspections conducted by certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians across Florida and nationwide.<\/p>\n National crash data also shows child restraint use declines sharply as children get older. Between 2020 and 2024, 78% of injured 3-year-olds involved in crashes were riding in a car seat or booster seat. By age 6, that figure dropped to 45%.<\/p>\n \u201cParents would never knowingly put their child at risk, but many don\u2019t realize a seat belt that looks like it fits may not actually provide the protection their child needs,\u201d said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA. \u201cAt the same time, even the right seat can\u2019t do its job if it\u2019s installed incorrectly or the harness isn\u2019t properly secured. Before your next trip, take a few moments to check both fit and installation.\u201d<\/p>\n Why does it matter?<\/p>\n Children can lose important crash protection when they move from a car seat to a booster seat, or from a booster seat to an adult seat belt, before they\u2019re physically ready.<\/p>\n According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers in passenger cars. <\/p>\n Those benefits depend on using the Many Florida children may be riding less safely than their parents realize, according to new research released by AAA ahead of Child Passenger Safety Week.<\/p>\n AAA found that many children are moving to booster seats and seat belts before they\u2019re ready, while many child restraints are not being used correctly.<\/p>\n