26/03/2026
Did you know that most primary school-aged children should still be in a car seat or high back booster? Sadly, children aged 4 to 10 (primary school age) are among the most vulnerable to injury in road traffic collisions, often due to improper or lack of car seat use. Data shows 39% of children killed or seriously injured fall into this age group, as they are often moved too soon to adult seatbelts, which do not fit properly.
It is strongly recommended to keep your child rear-facing for as long as possible - ideally up to 125cm (within child car seat limits). For many children, this can be up to around age 7 or school Year 2-3, depending on their growth centile.
Once your child has outgrown their rear-facing seat, the next step is a high back booster. This is essential, as car safety systems (e.g. seatbelts and airbags) are designed for adults. A high back booster is safer for a child, offering vital head and side protection and positioning their body to benefit from the car safety features.
The legal minimum to move out of a child car seat is 12 years old or 135cm tall, whichever comes first, however safety advice shows using an appropriate booster seat until they pass the 5 step test, offers much greater protection.
Only once your child passes the 5-step test (in each car they might travel in) is it safe for them to travel without a booster seat:
- The child's back is against the vehicle seat back?
- Do their knees bend comfortably at the edge of the seat and their feet resting on the floor?
- Does the lap belt sit across their thighs/hips not on their stomach?
- Does the shoulder belt sit between their neck and shoulder, not touching their neck or face?
- Do they sit sensibly with no leaning or slouching, even if they fall asleep?
If the answer to any of these questions is "no," the child still requires a booster seat to ensure the seatbelt is positioned correctly for maximum safety.
You can read more about the 5 step test here: https://bit.ly/4sEvbl1
[Image description: Infographic with 5 illustrated steps on checking safe seatbelt fit for a child, using text and diagrams for back, lap belt, and shoulder belt positioning.]
