Can a child ride without a car seat?? Find out what the law and experts have to say!
Parents enjoy watching their child grow. They are incredibly proud when their little one starts talking, walking, and becoming more and more independent. They often highlight this process with items such as: “adult” cutlery, toys for older children, a forward-facing car seat, and a booster seat instead of a car seat... But is a young child ready to ride using only a three-point seat belt?? The laws in our country and professionals who specialize in child safety in cars all agree: no. So before you replace your child's full car seat with a booster seat or remove it from the car entirely, read the article below.
It is every parent's responsibility to transport their child in a child safety seat
When Poland joined the European Union, we adopted the regulations in force there regulations regarding the transportation of children. According to these regulations, children whose height does not exceed 150 cm must be secured in child safety seats while riding. Where does this boundary come from?? Seat belts installed in cars at the factory are designed to protect adults taller than 150 cm. Only then will each part of the belt run correctly: The shoulder strap should run through the center of the sternum and not slip off the shoulder, while the hip strap should sit as low as possible under the abdomen. Any other setting could cause serious internal injuries in the event of an accident or sudden braking. Body type is also a factor. A little one whose skeleton is still developing, the front hip prongs haven't developed yet—and the belt rests on them, preventing it from sliding down onto the stomach. That's why it's so important to use car seats with seat belt guides, which you can find here at 3Kiwi.
Car seat or booster seat? The first option is the safest
These booster seats are designed for older children who no longer want to ride in a full-size car seat but are still too small for a three-point seat belt. Their purpose was to raise the car to a position where the belts would run properly. However, as crash tests show, using it can be dangerous for a young passenger. First and foremost, the booster seat lacks head support and side protection, and in the event of a collision, the child ends up outside the car seat’s safety zone... on the door. In addition, most models of car seats are simply placed on the car seat, which causes the child to slide off it. As a result, the very thing we’re trying to protect the child from happens—the seat belt slides down onto the child’s stomach and neck. Therefore, to ensure your child’s complete safety, it’s a good idea to use car seats that have passed crash tests and have sturdy belt guides. Children up to age 4. At this age, experts recommend RWF car seat, that is, installed facing the opposite direction of travel, with five-point harnesses. Only once a child reaches 105 cm in height may he or she be secured with “adult” seat belts.