Another Booster Seat Question

[WantToGoNow]

So, how does the carseat/booster laws work when we drive from Ohio. My dd5 and ds7 (will be 8 before we go) both ride in boosters here at home although most of their peers no longer do (law is 4 and 40 lbs). I was considering letting them travel without them when we drive to WDW - the seatbelts in our Ford Freestyle fit my son exactly where they should - I have not let dd5 ever ride in just the seatbelt so I have no idea how it fits her. We will be going through Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and of course Florida and I know some of these states have stricter requirements than Ohio. Do I need the boosters for the states we are driving through?

 

[brymolmom]

If you have them ride in them at home - I would think you would just do the same driving that distance. It is what they're used to - might be more comfortable, and I can't think of a reason why you wouldn't unless there's some sort of space issue?? IMO the 8 year old would be fine if you really don't want him in a booster for the trip - but I would keep the 5 year old because, as you said, some states have stricter guidelines and you need to follow the state's guidelines that you are traveling through.

 

[all4fun]

Yes, you need to follow the laws of the states you will be driving through. I don't know of a single state that gives an expemption because you're from a different state. Both of your kids are safer in a booster as long as they still fit in them by height and weight, than just the seat belt alone. High back boosters also offer 70% more protection a side impact than a low back or no booster. This site has the 5 step booster test, and explains why it's so important. Unless your 7yr old is extremely large for his age, then he may still be in need of a booster seat. It does vary some by child and car though.

hth

 

[3_disprincesses]

I'm not concerned about the laws, i'm concerned about my childrens safety. At 5 years old and 41 pounds my daughter is in no way big enough to ride in a vehicle without her booster seat. The National Highway Traffic Safety Adminstration recommends children under 4'9 ride in a booster seat. This is for the safety of the children...they just need to figure out how to get comfortable on the ride!

 

[WantToGoNow]

Thank you for your thoughts. At 41 lbs. my daughter was still in a harnessed carseat - of course she had just turned 3 at the time. My children are not small, petite children. My son at 7.5 is 4'5 and 78 lbs, my dd was 46" last time she was measured and weighed 53 lbs (wears a size 6x clothes).

 

[skw444]

You'll need to follow the laws of each of the states you are driving through. I live in GA and our law is under 6 needs to be in a booster, so your dd will need to have a seat.

 

[3_disprincesses]

On the way there they will be so excited they'll probably do anything just to get there! On the way home they will be so tired they'll probably sleep most of the wayLOL

Ya'll just have a safe trip!

 

[claryche]

Since you mentioned going through TN and that's where I am, I thought I would share our law with you. This is straight from the TN gov website.

Children age four (4) through age eight (8), and measuring less than four feet nine inches (4'9") in height, must be secured in a belt-positioning booster seat system, meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards in the rear seat, if available, or according to the child safety restraint system or vehicle manufacturer's instructions. (Note: If the child is not between age four (4) and age eight (8), but is less than four feet nine inches (4'9") in height, he/she must still use a seat belt system meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards.)

I only posted the part that I thought would apply for your kids. Have a great time at Disney

 

[Leajess99]

So, how does the carseat/booster laws work when we drive from Ohio. My dd5 and ds7 (will be 8 before we go) both ride in boosters here at home although most of their peers no longer do (law is 4 and 40 lbs). I was considering letting them travel without them when we drive to WDW - the seatbelts in our Ford Freestyle fit my son exactly where they should - I have not let dd5 ever ride in just the seatbelt so I have no idea how it fits her. We will be going through Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and of course Florida and I know some of these states have stricter requirements than Ohio. Do I need the boosters for the states we are driving through?

YES, you do need the boosters for Kentucky, Tennessee and probably the other 2 states as well. The 5 year old has to be in one in Kentucky or you can be ticketed. They do not care if you are from out of state as it is the law in this state. My youngest rides in her booster in all states because I know the laws vary from state but I am not willing to risk her safety or the cost of a ticket. Oh and in Ky you can be stopped for a child not properly restrained even if you are not breaking any other traffic law.

 

[Leajess99]

Since you mentioned going through TN and that's where I am, I thought I would share our law with you. This is straight from the TN gov website.

Children age four (4) through age eight (8), and measuring less than four feet nine inches (4'9") in height, must be secured in a belt-positioning booster seat system, meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards in the rear seat, if available, or according to the child safety restraint system or vehicle manufacturer's instructions. (Note: If the child is not between age four (4) and age eight (8), but is less than four feet nine inches (4'9") in height, he/she must still use a seat belt system meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards.)

I only posted the part that I thought would apply for your kids. Have a great time at Disney

It was funny because when we went through Tennessee in October we stopped at the Welcome Center at the border on I-65. They have the height thing so you can measure the child and my 10 year old was just barely above the 4ft 9in line. I told her she was lucky cause she just barely missed having to be in a booster. She was not amused.

 

[LisaNJ25]

I'm not concerned about the laws, i'm concerned about my childrens safety. At 5 years old and 41 pounds my daughter is in no way big enough to ride in a vehicle without her booster seat. The National Highway Traffic Safety Adminstration recommends children under 4'9 ride in a booster seat. This is for the safety of the children...they just need to figure out how to get comfortable on the ride!

I agree.. heck my almost 5yo is in a 5 point harness and will be till she hits 65 pounds.

 

[mjkacmom]

Thank you for your thoughts. At 41 lbs. my daughter was still in a harnessed carseat - of course she had just turned 3 at the time. My children are not small, petite children. My son at 7.5 is 4'5 and 78 lbs, my dd was 46" last time she was measured and weighed 53 lbs (wears a size 6x clothes).

Both of your children are under the recommended height to go without a booster. My kids were allowed to ride without once they were 4'9", ds was 8, dd was 10. My 6 year olds are 48", and I will let them go without a booster only in an emergency, same with dd8, who is 49".

 

[teachallday]

My little princess is 7 years old. 47 inches high and 50 pounds. She is still in a 5 point harness carseat and will stay in it as long as she fits and meets the weight limit. It is a safety issue above anything else.

When I lived on the boarder with Washington and Oregon, there was a change in the law in Oregon before it changed in Washington. Many parents went nuts trying to tell their children who had been out of car seats and booster seats that when they went anywhere in Oregon they had to be back in a booster seat. - - So, look at the states and follow the one that has the most safety oriented law. Since your kids already still sit in car seats, there will be no issues of trying to get them back into a booster seat when they have been out of one for years. Consider yourself lucky, compared to others doing that trip.

 

[nessz79]

I recommend keeping the booster, at least for the 5 y.o. Florida's laws are very loose and kids aren't required to have anything beyond the age of 3 or 4 (not sure on this). We live in Florida, but I can't remember exactly what the law is, but we have boosters for both of our boys- ages 6 and 4.5.

 

[tanyaandallie]

The laws of each individual state do not exempt you from the laws of physics. Sounds like neither of your kids are big enough to travel without, esp. your 5 year old. No 5 year old is ready to ride without a booster seat.

Your kids would actually very likely be far more comfortable in their booster seats. Without them the shoulder belt will ride up on their kneck causing discomfort. When that happens, the kids will put the belt behind their back which is very very dangerous. A good high back booster will give both of them good sleep support while traveling.

 

[WantToGoNow]

Without them the shoulder belt will ride up on their kneck causing discomfort. When that happens, the kids will put the belt behind their back which is very very dangerous. A good high back booster will give both of them good sleep support while traveling.

As I said in my original post, the seatbelt fits my ds7 exactly where it is supposed to fit -- across his lap and across his shoulder - his feet are flat on the floor while sitting back in the seat. My children both know that the seatbelt is never to be put behind their backs or under their arms.

As for the booster being more comfortable than the seat of the car -- not likely. Have you ever checked to see how much padding is not there - it's a piece of hard plastic with a thin layer of material over it (they ride in high-back Graco Turboboosters in one car and my ds in a low-back turbobooster and dd in an Evenflo Big Kid Deluxe in the other) - I sure wouldn't be comfortable with my backside sitting on something like that for 17 or so hours.

 

[nessz79]

As I said in my original post, the seatbelt fits my ds7 exactly where it is supposed to fit -- across his lap and across his shoulder - his feet are flat on the floor while sitting back in the seat. My children both know that the seatbelt is never to be put behind their backs or under their arms.

As for the booster being more comfortable than the seat of the car -- not likely. Have you ever checked to see how much padding is not there - it's a piece of hard plastic with a thin layer of material over it (they ride in high-back Graco Turboboosters in one car and my ds in a low-back turbobooster and dd in an Evenflo Big Kid Deluxe in the other) - I sure wouldn't be comfortable with my backside sitting on something like that for 17 or so hours.

Depends on the booster . I've seen some that are very bare on the padding and some that I'd like to have in my seat!

 

[owensamo]

Depends on the booster . I've seen some that are very bare on the padding and some that I'd like to have in my seat!

I agree. We just went through the "purchase new backless boosters" exercise for our DD and ended up purchasing a Clek Olli for our car. This booster has enough padding that I wish I could sit in it! It doesn't have a cup holder, but she's big enough to reach the ones in the car, so no big loss.

We had to order it from Amazon, and it's not cheap - but the main reason we got it is because it is LATCH-enabled, so doesn't become a projectile in an accident! Yay! The seat is very comfortable, and our DD loves it. It also comes with a carrying bag for the airport (a big plus for Mom and Dad).

We did pick up a cheap Graco backless for the minivan for carpool - but she rides in that for 20 minutes at a time 5-7 times a week, so no big deal.

Amanda

 

[all4fun]

As I said in my original post, the seatbelt fits my ds7 exactly where it is supposed to fit -- across his lap and across his shoulder - his feet are flat on the floor while sitting back in the seat. My children both know that the seatbelt is never to be put behind their backs or under their arms.

As for the booster being more comfortable than the seat of the car -- not likely. Have you ever checked to see how much padding is not there - it's a piece of hard plastic with a thin layer of material over it (they ride in high-back Graco Turboboosters in one car and my ds in a low-back turbobooster and dd in an Evenflo Big Kid Deluxe in the other) - I sure wouldn't be comfortable with my backside sitting on something like that for 17 or so hours.

I bought a Graco Air Booster for my ds recently. It has that mesh material in the seat so there's no hard surface. DS seems to like it (although he still rides in a 5pt seat in the main vehicle). This booster also has a taller back and larger seating area than the Turbo Booster which we also considered. It also converts to backless. You might consider taking a look at that for the 7yr old. You could always pass it down to your younger dc when the 7yr old has fully outgrown it. Just a thought...

 

[snoopy5386]

As I said in my original post, the seatbelt fits my ds7 exactly where it is supposed to fit -- across his lap and across his shoulder - his feet are flat on the floor while sitting back in the seat. My children both know that the seatbelt is never to be put behind their backs or under their arms.

As for the booster being more comfortable than the seat of the car -- not likely. Have you ever checked to see how much padding is not there - it's a piece of hard plastic with a thin layer of material over it (they ride in high-back Graco Turboboosters in one car and my ds in a low-back turbobooster and dd in an Evenflo Big Kid Deluxe in the other) - I sure wouldn't be comfortable with my backside sitting on something like that for 17 or so hours.

If your son passes the 5 step test without his booster
The 5-Step Test.

1. Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
2. Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
3. Does the belt cross the shoulder between the neck and arm?
4. Is the lap belt as low as possible, touching the thighs?
5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?

Then he can ride without it. It is unsafe for him to use it if he has grown out of it.