Researchers Test the Importance of Booster Seats in Cars

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Updated: 7:29 PM Jul 31, 2008 Researchers Test the Importance of Booster Seats in Cars Booster seats are crucial when toddlers and young children are riding in the car. Without booster seats, researchers say, the belts can sit too high on kids, and cause serious problems in a crash. Posted: 6:30 PM Jul 31, 2008

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July 31, 2008

Whether the road is under construction or not, you always want your kids to wear a seat belt. However, there are new concerns about belts and the safety of kids too big for car seats, but not yet big enough for the regular seat.

Booster seats are crucial when toddlers and young children are riding in the car. Without booster seats, researchers say, the belts can sit too high on kids, and cause serious problems in a crash.

UVA Researcher Richard Kent says, "If that belt gets above the pelvis, it gets in to the very soft vulnerable abdomen, and in fact that belt can load all the way back until it loads into the spine. That is the only thing that stops it."

To help solve this problem, Kent is involved in the creation of a new crash test dummy that will simulate a child's abdomen.

The dummy will help in the design of a new booster seat for kids.

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