Too Big for a Car Seat? Not Yet. Why Booster Seats Still Save Lives

They may look all grown up in the back seat, but children aged 4 to 12 are still at serious risk when travelling without the proper protection. As South Africa marks Child Passenger Safety Week (21–27 September), experts are sounding the alarm on one of the most overlooked safety steps: the booster seat.

The Hidden Risk Parents Overlook

For many parents, moving from a toddler car seat to the “adult” seatbelt feels like a milestone. But skipping the booster stage could have devastating consequences.

“A standard seatbelt is not built for a child’s body,” explains Debbie Billson from Maxi-Cosi. “Without a booster, the belt often cuts across the stomach or neck instead of the hips and shoulder. In a crash, this poor positioning can cause severe internal injuries or spinal damage. With a booster, that same belt becomes a life-saving device.”

The Law vs. The Reality

Currently, South African law only requires child restraints for children under 3 years old, leaving thousands of kids unprotected. This legal gap is particularly worrying, as children between 4 and 12 years old are too small for adult seatbelts but often no longer use toddler seats.

Booster seats bridge this critical stage, lifting children so the belt aligns safely, distributing crash forces across stronger parts of their growing bodies.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

• 59% lower risk of injury for children aged 4–8 when using a booster seat compared to a seatbelt alone.
• Children should use a booster until they reach 150 cm in height – usually between 10 and 12 years old.
• If the lap belt rides up on the tummy or the shoulder strap cuts across the neck, your child still needs a booster.

Despite this, booster seat usage in South Africa remains alarmingly low, driven by lack of awareness and myths that a seatbelt alone is “good enough.”

Designed for Safety, Backed by Experts

“Booster seats aren’t optional; they’re an essential step in every child’s journey to safer travel,” says Peter McNaughton, Managing Director of Kelston Motor Group, a campaign partner. “No matter how grown-up they look, if your child is under 150 cm, they need a booster.”

Modern cars may be designed with advanced safety features, but they’re built around adult bodies. Without a booster, children remain dangerously vulnerable.

Safety Week: The Perfect Time to Act

Child Passenger Safety Week is the ideal opportunity for parents to reassess their child’s car safety setup. A simple booster seat could be the difference between life and death.

Because when it comes to protecting children on the road, there’s no such thing as skipping a step.