October 1, 2008

A newly released report from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says of the 41 booster seats tested,13 got ratings so poor the institute isn't even recommending them.

The study tested two types....backless and high-back booster seats, in 2001 to 2006 model vehicles.

The Institute IS recommending the following backless seats: Combi Kobuk; Fisher-Price Safe Voyage and Graco TurboBooster as solid picks that best position not only the fit of lap belts, but also the correct position for shoulder belts.

Top highback seats include: Britax Monarch, Britax Parkway, Fisher-Price Safe Voyage, LaRoche Bors.

Teddy Bear; Recaro Young Style and Volvo booster cushion.

However, the Institute is NOT recommending the following booster seats: the highback Compass B505; Compass B510; Cosco/Dorel Traveler and Evenflo Big Kid Confident; the backless Safety Angel Ride Ryte; combination Cosco / Dorel Alpha Omega; Cosco/ Dorel (Eddie Bauer) Summit; Cosco Highback Booster; Dorel / Safety 1st (Eddie Bauer) Prospect; Evenflo Chase Comfort Touch; Evenflo Generations; Graco CarGo Zephyr; and the Safety 1st / Dorel Intera.

At least two of these models have already been discontinued.

Forty-three states and the District of Columbia have booster seat provisions, but there has been very little research until this test into how these seats should be chosen.