What is a crucial car safety measure for infants and preschoolers?

The importance of keeping all children under 4 years of age in appropriately restrained car seats cannot be overstated. This measure is based on comprehensive research demonstrating that proper use of car seats significantly reduces the risk of injury and death in the event of a car accident. Infants and toddlers have bodies that are still developing, and standard seatbelts are not designed to protect them due to their smaller size and weight.

Restrained car seats offer crucial support, ensuring that in a collision, the forces are distributed across the stronger parts of the child's body while minimizing movement that can lead to injury.

In contrast, options that involve using seatbelts alone or allowing children to sit in the front seat do not provide the same level of safety for young children. Seatbelts are designed for adult-sized individuals and may not secure a smaller child adequately. Additionally, sitting in the front seat poses significant dangers due to the proximity to airbags and the front crumple zone in a crash. Using booster seats typically applies to older toddlers and preschoolers, but the recommendation for children under 4 is to remain in a car seat until they reach the specific height and weight criteria, beyond which booster seats become appropriate.