How to properly secure a booster in a car?

Penalties for using/non-using a booster

Since the Rules do not mention this term, it is also absent from the Code of Administrative Offences. Regarding the rules for transporting children, there is a general rule (Article 12.023, Part 03), which states that a corresponding violation will result in a fine of 3,000 rubles.

If the inspector records that your child, who has not reached school age, is being transported without using restraints, regardless of the location, you will be punished. As in the case of transporting a 7-11 year old child placed in the front seat without a booster or car seat.

As for children over 12 years old, they can be transported in the cabin on a general basis, that is, they must be fastened with a seat belt, otherwise they will face the same fine.

From the point of view of the Rules, it is unacceptable to transport children in an unfastened state in a booster seat or car seat. Having an unsecured booster is also punishable by a fine if its design provides for fixation.

We also note that automatic recording of this violation is not provided, as is the evacuation of vehicles to the impound area when a violation is recorded by a traffic inspector. This fine is subject to a benefit that allows you to pay only half of it, provided that the debt is repaid within 20 days from the date of the decision.

There are two features regarding violation of the clause of the rules regulating at what age children can be transported in a booster seat:

• recording this violation is allowed as many times in a row as desired, the car owner is not given the required 24 hours to eliminate the violation;
• if you transport two or more children without restraints, the fine will still be 3,000 rubles, since in this case the very fact of transporting children with traffic violations is subject to punishment.

At what age can you use a booster according to the 2021 rules?

The answer to this question, in accordance with the latest edition of the traffic rules, effective in 2018-2019, is as follows:

• for children under seven years of age, the use of a booster or child car seat during transportation is mandatory (both devices must comply with UNECE international standards No. 044-04);
• Children 7-11 years old must be transported in the front seat of a vehicle under the same conditions; they are allowed to be transported in the rear seat with regular factory seat belts;
• From the age of 12, there is no need to use a booster/car seat.

I would like to believe that when adopting this document, its authors were truly guided by common sense and put the safety of children first. But if you carefully evaluate the text of paragraph 19.01, you can doubt this premise, and here’s why.

When mentioning the age at which a booster must be used (the document specifies the not entirely correct term “child restraint”, interpreted both as a booster and as a child car seat), such devices should be linked to a certain height and weight.

This is not entirely correct, because the age limit does not always agree with anthropometric data. There are often situations when a seven-year-old child is so small that if he is fastened only with a seat belt (and this is allowed provided he is placed in the back seat), then the belt strap will not pass over the chest, as set on fire, but in the neck area, which is unacceptable from the point of view passive safety. The likelihood of a child receiving a life-threatening injury in an accident will be even higher than if the seat belt is not fastened.

A little personal

Not much is known about Booster’s biography from Twitch - the young man does not talk too much about personal topics, so finding reliable data is quite difficult. Let's talk about what is known for sure:

• Born in Moscow, February 25, 1997;
• Real name: Vyacheslav Leontyev;
• As a child, he loved to play computer games - which his parents did not allow him;
• Whenever possible, I turned on the computer and started playing through various toys;
• He communicates closely with such streamers as Evelon192, DmitriyLixx, Karavay;
• In his free time he likes to travel and smoke hookah with friends.

Distinctive features of Booster's style from Twitch in the photo are the white Nike headband that he constantly wears on his head, practically without taking off his transparent aviator glasses. In recent streams, he even put glasses and a headband on his girlfriend and said that she now looks a lot like him! Another interesting distinctive feature is the butterfly stance, which the young man actively demonstrates several times per stream, with or without reason.

Buster from Twitch is familiar to most users of the platform with his phrase “Appreciate your mother.” Even now there is a small comic verse in the streamer’s profile:

“It’s always easy to offend a mother. She won't notice the insult. And he can only tell you: “Don’t catch a cold, it’s windy today.”

The girl's name is Ekaterina Bulankina - she is from Moscow, born on May 28, 2000. He talks a lot about his life on Instagram - you can see his profile here https://www.instagram.com/ekatze007/.

What products do manufacturers offer: types of boosters

Boosters can be classified:

• by release form: ampoules. There are those that are administered subcutaneously (Pluryal Booster). Their effect is relatively long-lasting, but there are contraindications. In addition, you cannot administer them to yourself; you must go to a clinic or salon. There are ampoules for external use. They are easier to work with, but they will not give the same pronounced result, but they will provide everyday facial care;
• gels. Apply as a base for makeup. Available in a convenient tube with a dispenser. Firstly, it is hygienic, and secondly, the product from it is used very economically. The product has a dense gel-like texture and protects the skin from moisture loss throughout the day. If used as an independent product, without cream (serum, mask), then the effectiveness is comparable to any high-quality moisturizer;
• creams. Unlike gels, they are already enriched with active ingredients, so they do not need to be combined with other cosmetics;
• serum. Similar in action to gel. The only difference is that the consistency of the serum is lighter and it is absorbed faster;
• masks. This is an optional purchase. You can enhance any mask with useful components if you add oils or vitamins to it. This way you won’t have to overpay significantly for a proprietary development of a cosmetic company;

Booster is a Korean invention, where it is part of a multi-stage facial care

Features of different designs

To choose the most suitable option for yourself, you need to be able to navigate the basic parameters of the products.

1. Foam devices.
   Foam-based models are very comfortable, but in terms of safety they leave much to be desired. The entire structure may simply fall apart if an accident occurs. If this occurs, the child will fall down and slip under the harness, which could result in serious injury. Of course, such options are much cheaper, but is it worth saving on the safety of children? In addition to convenience for children and price, the only positive aspects of such devices include their light weight.
2. Plastic products.
   This option is also very convenient to use, but, in addition, its level of safety is an order of magnitude higher than that of its foam counterparts. But plastic can also be different, and experts recommend choosing options made from more durable material. When choosing plastic boosters, you need to take into account the presence of stiffeners on the inside of the structure. And higher quality plastic can be determined even visually.
3. Multilayer.
   In this version, all indicators are excellent - the devices are very convenient, and their safety characteristics are at the highest level. Devices with a metal frame and several layers of special materials are considered ideal. The greatest comfort in using the product is ensured by its soft surface.
4. Special models.
   Some manufacturers offer devices that have loop devices designed to pull the harness away from the baby's face. It is extremely inconvenient to use them - such boosters constantly slip off and can even burst, so there is no need to talk about the proper level of safety here. It is highly not recommended to buy such devices, because they are not only inconvenient to use, but also unsafe.

Advantages of fastening using the Isofix system

Before purchasing a functional device, it is recommended to check whether the machine has an Isofix system. If it is present, the choice should be made in favor of a booster with similar mounts. Such models are a little more expensive, but provide the most reliable fixation of the child.

Useful: When and how to bathe a newborn baby for the first time

In this case, the booster is attached directly to the car body, providing the most rigid and stable grip. Additional restraint can be provided by seat belts. The child will be protected both on the road and in the event of an accident. Such models can be installed and removed in a matter of seconds. The manipulation is very simple and does not require special skills.

Correctly securing the device will ensure the maximum possible safety for the child in the car. You should not skimp on the material or type of fixation of the product; it is not recommended to purchase used items (if they have been in emergency situations, their functionality is zero).

Features and device

Manufacturers of child seats use various materials in their production. The quality of the product depends on the quality of the materials used. The booster frame can be made of plastic, metal or compressed foam.

Seats for transporting children with a metal frame are considered the most reliable and durable; the safety of a child in such a booster seat will be at the highest level. These models are much more expensive and weigh more. These are perhaps the main disadvantages of this design.

The plastic frame also provides a high degree of protection, but weighs significantly less than its metal counterparts, making it an excellent option for active traveling families

But before buying a plastic booster, you should pay attention to the thickness of the product. Thin plastic can easily break under minimal load

Models made of pressed foam are very popular among parents, who are often forced to use taxi services. Such models are very light and have a very affordable price. There are a large number of such devices on the market. But they do not differ in strength and reliability; the protection of the small passenger remains minimal, since the seat structure can easily break. And such boosters cannot be called comfortable.

The frame of the device is covered with soft fabric with pads that make the seat more comfortable and convenient for the baby. Therefore, at first glance it may seem that all boosters are practically no different. But they can also have different types of fastenings. And in order to properly and safely secure a small passenger in a booster seat, you must follow the instructions.

If the booster is secured to the seat using standard seat belts, install the booster in the rear passenger seat. Seat your little passenger.

The lower strap of the standard seat belt should be tensioned so that the lower strap is at the baby’s feet and passes through the armrests of the booster, and the diagonal strap secures the child to the back of the seat.

This method of fastening does not guarantee absolute safety. If you turn sharply, your baby may fall out of the seat. The Isofix system is considered a more reliable method. With this system, the rigidity and reliability of the booster to the car seat is many times higher, since the seat is attached directly to integral parts of the car. At the same time, standard seat belts are assigned a secondary task of fixation.

To install the booster, you need to insert the guides into special fasteners, which are located between the seat and the back of the rear seat. But not all cars have such additional brackets. And if your car belongs to this number, then the only option is to secure the booster with standard seat belts.

How to fix with Isofix?

Among manufacturers of special devices for transporting children, a system called Isofix or Latch is becoming increasingly popular - if the device was made in the USA and is slightly different in the principle of fastening.

All reviewers note that this installation method is much more reliable, since the risk of the booster itself being torn off from the standard seat is minimized.

However, to install a device with this system, the vehicle must also have the appropriate mounts. In recent years, you can buy special devices, thanks to which any Soviet car can be equipped with such mounts, fastening them to the seat with belts. However, the reliability of such tricks raises some doubts.

The point of Isofix is ​​that special brackets are welded to the car frame in the seat area, which are the fasteners for a potential booster or car seat. Special devices for transportation are equipped with special rods that fit perfectly into these brackets and are fixed with a characteristic click.

Thanks to this design, the likelihood that the booster will simply come off the seat during a strong frontal collision is reduced several times - therefore, even the standard car belts will have less load, because they will only have to hold the child. In this case, the baby is fastened according to the same scheme as in the case of a classic booster seat without Isofix.

To learn what a booster is and how to install it correctly, watch the following video.

Source

Best lists

We recommend that you take a closer look at the models that are leading according to the following criteria:

• budget price;
• best quality materials;
• with Isofix system.

Budget price

It is worth paying attention to Heyner SafeUp XL Comfort. The chair is one of the widest on the market

All groups are available, from approximately 3 years old to 12 years old. Equipped with belt fasteners, comfortable armrests and ergonomics, the child will be comfortable even in winter clothes.

Approximate cost: about 3000 rubles.

Heyner SafeUp XL Comfort

Best quality materials

Mifold The Grab and Go Booster is a chair that combines comfort and increased safety. The booster seat is 10 times smaller than a regular seat, intended for children up to 150 cm and weighing from 15 kg. The quality is confirmed by the American FMVSS 213 certificate and the Canadian RSSR standard.

Price: from 3100 to 3700 rubles.

Mifold The Grab and Go Booster

With Isofix system

Peg-Perego Viaggio Shuttle won first place with Isofix. The booster will not work for cars that do not have such a system. The chair is equipped with high armrests, has a cool design and high-quality materials. The booster weighs 3 kg.

Approximate price: about 6,000 rubles.

Peg-Perego Viaggio Shuttle

How and where to install and secure the booster in the car

Boosters can be used in both the rear and front seats. An important condition for this is the correct installation and fixation, as well as the placement of the seat belt, since it is the main element ensuring safety. However, if a child is transported in the front seat, the passenger airbag must be turned off.

If the booster has a very simple design, then it is not fixed at all. In models with armrests, the product is fastened using the horizontal part of the belt. It is important to adjust the length of this section so that it has the maximum possible tension.

Boosters that come with mounting hardware are intended for use in the rear seat only. It is fixed using existing fasteners, which are connected to the car’s fastening system (for example, Isofix).

Video: Bellelli Eos Plus booster for children from 15 to 36 kg

Criterias of choice

What, in addition to the mandatory labeling, do we pay attention to when choosing a booster?

Safety

Compared to a car seat, a booster is not particularly safe. It does not have a rigid frame back, side protective strips, or headrest. And when traveling long distances, you can’t sleep comfortably in a car seat.

If your child absolutely does not fit in a car seat, and his height and weight meet the requirements for using a booster, you can switch to the latest version of the restraint seat.

A high-quality device has additional regulators, but these devices, of course, affect the final price.

It is best to buy car seats in specialized stores.

Material

What are modern boosters made of:

The material of the outer covering is also of great importance - it is better if it is a removable cover made of high-quality coating. And the bottom of the car seat should be smooth so as not to spoil the car upholstery.

Dimensions

For a comfortable ride, it’s worth looking at wider options. It is best to buy a booster in the cold season, placing your child in it in full winter gear.

Do not forget to check the height of the armrests - again, it is most convenient to focus on the personal feelings of the future owner. Correctly selected height of the sidewalls will better support the child when turning.

Mounting method

The Isofix mount, which snaps onto the seat into special metal brackets, will not allow the booster to fly forward from under the child upon impact. This method of fastening is considered the most reliable and safe.

A regular booster is simply placed on the seat, and the young passenger is fastened with a standard seat belt.

Price

The price of a child car seat starts from 350 rubles. But for this price you can purchase a non-certified foam product. A good quality booster will not cost less than 1000 rubles.

For constant use, it is best to purchase a device with a rigid frame. Remember - the safety of a child is priceless!

Rules for using boosters

The booster can be applied to the skin or added to a cream.

There are two main ways to use a booster.

1. 1
   As an independent care product, after tonic and before day cream.
2. 2
   As an addition to basic care, 1-3 drops of booster should be mixed with cream and then applied to the skin.

So, the booster can be safely added to the following products:

Facial serum: what you didn’t know about it

• serum;
• day face cream;
• night face cream;
• cream for the area around the eyes.

A booster implies a high concentration of the active substance, and most often vitamins act as “activators”. Therefore, before including a booster in your daily beauty routine, it doesn’t hurt to check how your skin reacts to the product.

How is toner different from booster?

The difference between these products is that the toner promotes deeper hydration of the epidermis. And the booster enhances and accelerates the effects of subsequent care products. It also has the ability to retain moisture and nutritional components in the skin, so it is the first step in care. Or second if you are using toner.

Toner and toner: what's the difference?

Can a booster be a stand-alone product?

Yes maybe. To understand how to use a booster - as a main tool or an auxiliary one, read the instructions.

Basic selection rules

When purchasing a booster, consider the safety and comfort of the child. Therefore, when going shopping, many parameters are taken into account:

Material. The booster must contain 4 layers: a metal or plastic frame, a plastic insert, a softening layer, and a fabric lining. A high-quality chair does not deform when pressed. It should not feel overly soft or hard when touched. There are many types available: foam, with a metal or plastic base. Price. Devices for transporting children can differ significantly in price: from 300 to 3000 rubles. Reliable and strong boosters will cost at least 1000 rubles. Options

It is important to choose the correct width and height of the device. If you plan to use a booster for a child for a long time, you should take a wider one.

It is better not to purchase tall models, as there is a high risk that in an accident the head may hit the glass. Features of the fastening system. Each group of models has its own fastening system. The cheapest options are represented by a seat that is simply installed in the cabin. They will not provide the proper degree of protection. It is better to purchase models with a reliable mounting system in the car, as well as additional seat belts. Additional accessories. Preference should be given to boosters with the highest possible armrests. They will help minimize harm to the child in side impacts. And the presence of a supportive backrest will help soften the impact from behind.

Important!

It is best to take your baby with you to the store, who will ride in a booster seat. He will be able to express his opinion about the comfort of the device (convenience, whether the belt presses or not, and so on).

The first trip of a newborn, as a rule, is from the maternity hospital to the parents' house, about a week after birth. You need to be well prepared for this moment.

How to transport a newborn in a car? Of course, in a special infant carrier or car seat of categories “0” and “0”. Choosing a special chair for newborns requires special care. Although it will not serve its owner for long, young parents need to study certificates and reviews about each specific model, evaluate the anatomical shape, the quality of the built-in belts and the reliability of the fasteners

It is recommended to pay attention to the materials of the interior finishing of the cradle itself; they should be hypoallergenic and non-slip

It is strictly forbidden to use the cradle from a stroller as a cradle intended for transporting newborn babies! It cannot perform safety functions when traveling by car and is intended only for transporting infants outside the car.

How to choose a booster. Tips for choosing

Before purchasing this product, it is important to consider some more features, in addition to the design and the presence of additional elements, namely:

• The choice must be made with the child. He is the one who should evaluate the booster. When sitting on it, the baby should feel comfortable and comfortable;
• Pay attention to the overall dimensions of the booster. It is allowed to use the product “for growth”, but it should not be significantly large, that is, it should not be taken with a “large margin”, otherwise safety will be less ensured;
• Workmanship. It is important to evaluate the manufacturing materials, tailoring features, base material, etc.

One of the keys to purchasing a high-quality booster that meets all requirements is the reputation of the manufacturer. There are a lot of them, and most of them are little known and the quality of their products is not always the best. Well-known manufacturers include Geobi, Bertoni, Lorelli, Britax, Chicco. The models of boosters that they produce are also quite large, so the choice of product should be approached thoroughly and all the nuances taken into account.

But we note that many do not recommend purchasing an expensive booster, especially if it is designed only for a certain age range; mid-price models are often quite suitable.

At what age is it legal to switch from a car seat to a booster?

The relatively low price of boosters allows you to change models as the child grows. It is recommended to be guided by the same criterion when the question of changing a car seat comes up on the agenda, because if the child is as comfortable as possible in it, then there is no need to rush to change it.

If, on the contrary, he is clearly cramped in the seat, then it’s time to think about a booster, which will make the experience of the trip practically no different from that of adults. That is, in some cases it makes sense to be guided not by the child’s age, but by his weight, dimensions and comfort.

Also read: at what age can you use a “corner” for fastening a child.

Another thing is that the baby must be at least 3 and no more than 12 years old, because car seats for children were developed specifically for this age category, not excluding the use of a chair if it is still comfortable.

If the child is already 3 years old, then this is not a reason to quickly seat him in a chair. Instead, it is strongly recommended to measure its basic physical parameters, remembering that the optimal values ​​for transplantation from one device to another are 15 kg of weight and 120 cm of height, without which it is better not to rush.

Requirements from traffic regulations

The decision regarding the transportation of children was made back in 2021, and according to it, from the moment of birth until the age of 11, a child can travel in a vehicle exclusively in a special device, which can mean both a car seat and a booster.

It is strongly recommended not to choose a booster without a child

This means that the choice between a full-fledged chair with a backrest and a seat is a personal matter for parents; another thing is that, due to physiological characteristics, you certainly can’t carry babies in a booster seat, so it still makes sense to use the chair at the first stage, transferring the child to the seat no earlier than three years of age.

In front, it will be necessary to transport a small passenger exclusively in a restraint device, and so on until the age of 12, when you can already limit yourself to belts alone.

Selection by weight and height

For those who are not sure about choosing the optimal device for transporting children, it is worth giving some practical advice. And first of all, we are talking about the fact that in addition to boosters without a back, you can easily find devices with this part on sale, made in the form of a compact chair. By the way, this model is ideal for transporting thin, short children who are much smaller than their peers.

If the child is large and also mobile, then a seat without a backrest will be more suitable for him, the role of which will be played by the internal equipment of the car itself. As for the fixation, in both cases it will be equally reliable, assuming a rigid attachment to the car seats. But the child will be fastened in different ways: with the straps of a booster, made in the form of a high chair, or with the straps of the car itself, if you only have to use one seat without a backrest.

The upholstery material is also of great importance, and if possible, it is better to give preference to natural, breathable materials.

If we talk about fastening systems, today the most common ones are the American Latch with carabiners, the European Lsofix with brackets, as well as the ideal Top Tether anchor mechanism for infant carriers, despite the fact that they all have their own advantages.

What is a booster and why is it needed in a car?

A booster is a type of restraint device in the form of a seat with small armrests, but without a supporting back and headrest. The purpose of the design is to lift the small passenger, and then the standard seat belt will not pinch his neck (which happens if the child is simply transported in a car seat).

The purpose of the booster is to raise the baby to the level of correct fixation with standard seat belts.

What the law says

According to the 2021 edition of the traffic rules, children under 12 years of age must travel in a car in a special restraint device that is suitable for their age and height and weight.

This is interesting. Article 12.23 Part 3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses states that transporting children without special restraint devices is punishable by a fine of 3 thousand rubles.

However, any homemade pillows and pads are not included in the recommended devices for transporting small passengers. In other words, the design to ensure the safety of a child in a vehicle must be certified and meet or exceed federal or state transportation standards.

Rules for using a booster depending on the height, weight in kilograms and age of the child

Like other types of devices designed to carry small passengers, it has clear parameters for use according to the age, height and weight of the child. To understand the features of its use, it’s worth first understanding the categories of restraint devices:

The booster belongs to categories 3 and 2, that is, it is suitable for a child from 3 to 12 years old, weighing from 15 to 36 kg. But the height of the passenger should not be lower than 120 cm.

Sometimes you hear about models with a backrest, but in fact such products are group 2/3 car seats, which, if necessary, can be transformed by removing the back part.

Booster in comparison with other restraint devices (car seat framed and frameless, FEST)

For long trips, the most suitable and comfortable seat will be a frame car seat. In terms of safety indicators, it also ranks first. All other restraint options do not provide lateral protection for the head and body.

If we talk about a frameless car seat and FEST, then the first device has shown its unreliability during independent tests (the belts that fasten the child break at the moment of a collision), and the second leads to injuries to the abdominal cavity (the belt raised by the adapter passes not over the reeds, but through the passenger’s stomach ) and does not protect against the diving effect.

Some parents install both a booster and FEST. Such reinsurance is not a violation, but it is not particularly advisable either.

Video: crash test of a booster, car seat and other devices

How to choose the right boosters

When choosing a device, you need to consider the material from which it is made.

The new seat should be comfortable for the baby and, of course, special attention should be paid to the degree of safety that the design of the product can provide.

Here are some points you should definitely consider when choosing a booster seat for transporting a child:

• Be sure to inspect the product from all sides. It must be made with high quality, even without minor flaws. The model should not be too heavy and easy to use.
• The baby should be comfortable in the seat. Otherwise, purchasing the product makes no sense, because you don’t want your child to feel uncomfortable in the car? It is necessary to take into account the ease of use of the product in winter - the child is wearing a bulky jacket, and it will be uncomfortable for him in a tight device.
• It is necessary to choose products produced by trusted manufacturers, whose products have all the necessary certificates for carrying out this activity.
• Buy devices that are clearly distributed according to the child’s weight and height. Universal boosters are not the best option.
• The seat upholstery also needs to be taken into account. The material from which it is made must be breathable, easy to clean and dry quickly. It is better if you choose an option with removable pads - they are much easier to clean and dry.
• You can find combination booster options on sale. They can be used in several modes, one of which provides the possibility of transformation into a kind of crib, where the child can rest on a long journey. In this case, even while resting, the baby will be fastened.
• Strong safety harnesses must have parts that soften the child’s contact with the device. In the absence of this property, the child may be injured not only in an accident, but also during sudden braking.
• Buy only the booster that will exactly fit your child in size. There is no need to buy a product “for growth” or that is already small. Otherwise, the baby will feel discomfort.
• From the variety of models, it is better to choose those that are attached to the seat using special devices, and not just placed on it. But when choosing such a device, you should take into account the presence of special loops on the car seat for attaching the device.

Save a child: crash test of seats and boosters

The Ministry of Internal Affairs proposes to reduce the minimum age at which a child can be fastened as an adult - with a standard three-point belt. Isn't this dangerous? We've done a series of shock tests and we know the answer.

When I tried again - this time with the belt correctly adjusted - the booster worked no worse than the car seat. In the event of a frontal collision, this restraint device protects the small passenger just as effectively, but under one very important condition: if the seat belt is fastened correctly.

The last story: the dummy is fixed with a standard belt and an adapter that lowers the diagonal strap of the belt so that it rests on the shoulder and does not put pressure on the neck. Upon impact, the equipment recorded higher accelerations than in the case of a car seat and a booster, but they comply with the requirements of the Rules. But the permissible pressure of the belt on the stomach was significantly exceeded - clear traces of the mannequin’s “spine” remained on the piece of clay.

The used piece of clay was quickly replaced with a new one, and the dummy is again ready for testing. But you can’t fix a living child that way. In real life, such a situation on the road often turns into much worse consequences - a belt pressing on the stomach with a force of several hundred kilograms causes serious injuries to the abdominal organs.

Clause 22.9 of the traffic rules on the rules for transporting children in a car

• Current version:
  “Transportation of children under 12 years of age in vehicles equipped with seat belts must be carried out using child restraints appropriate for the weight and height of the child, or other means that allow the child to be fastened using seat belts provided for by the design of the vehicle, and in the front seat of a passenger car - only with the use of child restraints.”
• Proposal of the Ministry of Internal Affairs:
  “Transportation of children under 7 years of age in the back seat in vehicles equipped with seat belts must be carried out using child restraint devices that correspond to the weight and height of the child. From 7 to 11 years old - using child restraints or using seat belts provided for by the design of the vehicle. In the front seat of a car - only using child restraints."
• “Behind the Wheel” proposal:
  “Children under 12 years of age or up to 150 cm in height must be transported in vehicles equipped with seat belts using child car seats that are appropriate for the child’s weight and height.”

Pros and cons

Why does this happen and what motivates parents who transport their children without seats? The main reason is a simple lack of money. A high-quality chair is expensive. In regions where people earn 10–15 thousand rubles a month, a car seat for 6–9 thousand is unaffordable.

Control is also a problem. The number of traffic police inspectors has been significantly reduced. Therefore, the likelihood of getting fined is minimal.

And this is now when it is possible to use virtually any restraint device. What will happen if we allow children over seven years of age to be fastened with regular seat belts? Will parents buy any restraint devices? We doubt it! And the number of child deaths could increase sharply.

The statistics are still disappointing. According to international studies, of the total number of children killed in accidents, 49% were not wearing a seat belt, 35% were using seats incorrectly, 10% were seated in seats that were inappropriate for their age or were not wearing an adult seat belt. Only 3% were correctly placed in the seat and fastened according to all the rules.

That is, if all drivers acted as prescribed by today’s rules, the number of children killed last year would not have exceeded five! Yes, this is also a terrible figure, but not the same as now in the traffic police reports. What will happen if parents are given a break?

Numerous studies indicate that only a properly selected child seat will protect against serious damage to internal organs and the lumbar spine.

Only a chair can save you from “diving” (when a child simply slides under the belt and suffocation or damage to the cervical vertebrae occurs).

Only child car seats! It is necessary to spell it out in the Rules and make sure that child car seats become accessible to the majority. How to achieve this? Eliminate customs duties on imported products with state regulation of maximum price tags or establish the production of high-quality car seats here? All means are good!

Booster operating rules

When purchasing and installing a booster, you must take into account the basic rules and features of its use.

Where to put it: front or rear seat

The booster can be placed on the front or back seat of the car, always in the direction of travel. However, in practice, quite often, road patrol inspectors, taking advantage of the lack of education of citizens, fine for installing a restraint device next to the driver. In this case, you need to refer to Chapter 22.9 of the Traffic Regulations, which describes possible options for placing devices for transporting children, including boosters.

Still, the safest location for any type of restraint for transporting a baby is in the center of the seat, located in the back. It is there that your child will be maximally protected from a side impact, as well as in a frontal collision, when the driver, reflexively obeying the instinct of self-preservation, turns the steering wheel in such a way as to protect himself.

Video: booster crash test in a side impact

There are two ways to secure your child, depending on his weight:

• the lumbar belt goes under both armrests of the booster, and the shoulder belt only on one side, if the baby weighs between 15–25 kg;
• The lumbar belt runs under both booster armrests, and the shoulder belt is located over one of them if the passenger's body weight reaches 22 kg.

Manufacturers of baby carriers offer booster seats with loops that pull the seat belts further away from the face. They are attached to a diagonal belt behind the passenger's back at shoulder level. But they often burst during an accident, so they do not fulfill their purpose.

When using a booster, it is important to consider:

• the height of the armrest (the child’s hand should not reach towards it, otherwise the body will not relax, that is, there will not be proper fixation when braking and cornering);
• belt tension (the passenger feels comfortable, the neck should not be pinched and the torso should not be compressed);
• no slipping (you can fasten the baby only when the booster fits well to the seat, and when starting to move, you should make sure that the passenger does not slip).

How to clean

If your booster model has a case, then, of course, it is better to purchase it.

The cover pad can be included with the booster itself or sold separately for the sizes of different models

It will be enough to wash the lining for the device to regain its presentation. If you use the device without a cover, then you can clean it in the same way as the seats in a car, that is, yourself or trust a car wash.

Children under 12 years of age can be transported in a car only with special restraints. That's what the law says. At the same time, there is a fairly wide selection of these same devices. One of these is a booster. It has a number of advantages in comparison with car seats, adapters and seat covers, but there is also a whole list of parameters that determine the possibility of its use. In particular, the age, height, weight of the child passenger, as well as the parents’ informed decision regarding the degree of safety of using this particular product and not any other.

Why do you need a car booster?

So, what is a booster seat for carrying children in a car? This device refers to a child restraint device used to transport passengers in the age range of 3-12 years. A typical booster seat is a small seat equipped with armrests, but without its own seat belts. The back is also missing. The child simply uses the standard belt in the same way as an adult. At the same time, the booster raises the body of a small passenger so that the belt grips his chest and not his neck, which is justified from a safety point of view.

Thus, the booster eliminates the main drawback of a seat belt in the absence of a child seat - it changes the points of its fixation on the body, increasing the comfort of the child in the car and eliminating the risk of serious injury in an accident due to improper placement of the belt.

Which boosters can be used and which cannot?

Installation of child restraint systems and placement of children in them is carried out in accordance with the operating instructions for these devices. Child restraint systems must meet the following standards:

• GOST R 41.44–2005 (UNECE Rules No. 44) for Russian-made protective devices;
• ECE R44/04 - for imported restraint systems.

Mandatory criteria for children's protective equipment are specified in GOST R 41.44–2005 (UNECE Rules No. 44), according to them, restraint systems are considered safe if they have an appropriate certificate, accompanied by special markings with the mandatory reflection of the following data:

1. Safety standard - after 2009 ECE R 44/04.
2. Type of child safety device.
3. Permissible child weight for a specific model.
4. A unique number assigned during testing, information about the manufacturer and the safety tests performed - country code and compliance indicator.

The booster must have a marking sticker or patch indicating the safety compliance code and the permissible passenger weight

It turns out that boosters with this marking can be used.