At what age should children transition from car seats to booster seats?

The correct transition from car seats to booster seats typically occurs around the age of 4, contingent upon the child outgrowing their forward-facing car seat. This guideline is based on safety standards that emphasize both age and size factors. At this age, most children have developed sufficient physical maturity and are generally able to sit properly in a booster seat, where they can be properly restrained by the vehicle's seatbelt.

Moving to a booster seat at this time provides enhanced safety during travel. It allows the adult seatbelt to fit correctly across the child's body, which is crucial for preventing injuries in the event of a crash. Transitioning too early, before reaching this age and size requirement, can compromise the effectiveness of seatbelt restraints.

The other options either suggest an age that is too early, focus on behavioral readiness rather than safety standards, or set a transition age that may not align with best practices in child passenger safety. For robust safety, it's important to follow the guidelines set by both pediatric associations and vehicle safety organizations.