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AAA Shares New Car Seat Readiness During Child Passenger Safety Week

AAA and the National Safety Council Team Up to Help Parents Choose the Right Seat at Every Stage.  

Walnut Creek, Calif. (September 22, 2026) – A new AAA analysis of nationwide crash data found child safety seat and booster seat use declines sharply with age, starting when kids are just 3 years-old. Between 2020 and 2024, 78% of 3-year-olds injured in car crashes were riding in a child safety seat or booster seat. By age 6, however, less than half (45%) were. This steep decline in child restraint use is concerning because many children have not yet outgrown the need for a car seat or booster seat based on their size and development. 

New data from the National Digital Car Seat Check Form (NDCF) found that 87% of children evaluated during child safety seat inspections in 2025 had transitioned to an adult seat belt too soon.  

Child Passenger Safety Technicians identified the most common car seat issues in California: 

  • A seat belt fits properly when children are riding in a booster seat or seat belt alone.
  • The car seat harness is snug enough on the child.
  • The car seat is installed tight enough on vehicle seats when using a seat belt for installation.

While progress has been made, car crashes remain a leading cause of death for children. Between 2020 and 2024, over 3.7 million children were involved in crashes nationwide. During that period, over 500,000 children were injured and more than 2,800 were killed in car crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury for infants by 71% and 54% for toddlers. 

"Parents spend years protecting their children, and that shouldn’t stop just because their little ones aren't so little anymore," said Rebecca Lynch, Social Impact and Advocacy Lead at AAA Mountain West Group. "At AAA, we're working to save lives by helping families make informed choices about keeping their kids safe in cars. If a seat belt doesn't fit your older child correctly, then it's likely that a booster seat is still the safest choice, and it's okay to let them stay a little longer.”

"As children develop and grow, it is vital to take proper steps to ensure their safety at every age," said Angela Brown, Senior Director of Driver Safety Training at the National Safety Council. "Children ages 10 to 12 may appear ready for an adult seat belt, but many still need booster seats to ensure the seat belt fits properly and safely. Parents and caregivers can schedule a free visit with a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician in their area or online to make sure their child's restraint system is right for their size and developmental needs." 

AAA Shares Tips for Parents and Caregivers to Keep Children Safe:

  • Keep children in the right restraint for their age, height and weight. Don't rush the transition to the next stage.  
  • Use the top tether strap whenever possible on forward-facing car seats. 
  • Make sure the harness is snug enough that you cannot pinch excess webbing at the child's shoulder.  
  • No matter your child's age, take them to visit a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, especially whenever changing vehicles, installing a new seat, or moving to the next stage.
  • For more information, please visit: /automotive/car-seat-inspections

Media Toolkit

Video sound bites are available and can be downloaded here. The spokesperson is Doug Johnson, AAA Mountain West Group.

About AAA Mountain West Group

For over a century, AAA Mountain West Group (MWG) has served as a mission-driven, member-centric organization.Guided by its mission of People Helping People and powered by 5,400 dedicated team members, MWG delivers exceptional roadside assistance, auto repair, travel planning, financial and insurance services, home security, and exclusive member discounts. With a vision focused on creating Members for Life, MWG guides Members through every stage of their journey, serving more than 6.9 million people throughout Alaska, Arizona, Nevada, Northern California, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. Recognized by Forbes as one of the Most Trusted Companies in America, AAA has grown into one of the largest and most trusted membership organizations in North America. To learn more about AAA MWG, visit mwg.aaa.com.

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