How should children between the ages of eight and 12 be secured in a vehicle?

Children between the ages of eight and 12 should be secured in a vehicle either in a child restraint device or by using a safety belt. This approach is crucial for their safety, as children in this age group may not be adequately protected by safety belts alone, depending on their size and weight. A child restraint device, such as a booster seat, helps position the seat belt correctly across the child's body to ensure that it provides maximum protection in the event of a crash.

Using a combination of a booster seat and the vehicle's safety belt accounts for the child's developing physical maturity, offering better restraint in the case of sudden stops or collisions. The guidelines for this age group aim to maximize safety and reflect the importance of using proper restraints until the child is ready to use a standard seat belt effectively.