Booster Seat Requirements and Safety in Michigan

This post was sponsored by The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Whether I am driving to the mall or heading to baseball practice with my little one, his safety is my top priority when we hit the road. We never leave the house without his booster seat.

Before getting in the car for a trip, I make sure he has everything he needs from his snacks and activities to his booster seat.

As my son got older, I learned that booster seat safety would be a top priority for us while driving because it helps reduce the risk for injuries.

Making the transition to booster seats was not only easy for us, but necessary.

Did you know that only 49.7 percent of children aged 4 to 7 in Michigan use a booster seat? That is completely unacceptable. 

Although seat belts may reduce the risk of death or injury, adult seat belts don’t properly fit or protect children that are shorter than 4’9” the way that they should. That is why it is so important to keep your child in a booster seat while driving.

Booster Seat Requirements and safety

• Children must be properly buckled in a car seat or booster seat until they are 8 years old or 4’9”
• If your child is under 4’9” they are not tall enough to ride in the car without a booster seat.
• Booster seat use reduces the risk of serious injury by 45 percent for children 4-8 years old when compared with seat belt use alone
• Research suggests that parents underestimate the risk and may be unfamiliar with child passenger safety best practices

As a parent, it is important for me to help spread awareness for proper booster seat requirements in Michigan because it could decrease fatalities and injuries from motor vehicle crashes.

The Michigan Office of Highway Safety and Planning (OHSP) is dedicated to saving lives and reducing injuries on Michigan roads. They offer resources to help parents understand the importance of booster seat requirements and safety.

No matter how grown up your child may seem, they are still too young to be in a car without a booster seat. Their safety comes first. 

Did you know about the safety guidelines for booster seats in Michigan?