New research from AAA shows a large percentage of Georgia children may not be properly protected while riding in vehicles, with many moving from booster seats to adult seat belts before they are physically ready.

According to AAA, 96.6 percent of Georgia children inspected during child passenger safety checks in 2025 had transitioned to an adult seat belt before the belt fit them correctly. Researchers also found 34.3 percent had moved to a booster seat too soon, while 84.3 percent of child restraints inspected in Georgia were being used incorrectly.

Among the most common problems found by certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians were improper seat belt fit, loose harness straps and failure to properly use the top tether on forward-facing car seats.

AAA says moving a child to the next restraint stage too early can reduce the protection provided during a crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, properly used car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers riding in passenger cars.

For parents wondering when a child is ready to leave a booster seat, AAA says age alone isn’t the deciding factor. A child should be able to sit with their knees naturally bending at the edge of the vehicle seat, while the lap belt rests low across the hips and upper thighs and the shoulder belt crosses the middle of the chest and shoulder. The child should also be able to remain properly seated for the entire trip. If those conditions aren’t met, AAA says the child still needs a booster seat.

AAA also recommends that children younger than 13 ride in the back seat whenever possible, where they have greater protection in a crash and less risk of injury from a front passenger airbag.

Parents are encouraged to check their child’s restraint regularly. A properly installed car seat should move no more than one inch from side to side or front to back at the belt path, harness straps should be snug, and the top tether should be used with forward-facing seats whenever possible. AAA also recommends having a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician inspect a seat when changing vehicles, purchasing a new seat or moving a child to the next restraint stage.