At what point should a child start using a seatbelt without a child restraint seat?

The appropriate time for a child to transition from a child restraint seat to using just a seatbelt is when they reach sufficient height, specifically when they are taller than 4 feet 9 inches. This height is critical because it ensures that the seatbelt will fit properly across the child's body. A properly fitted seatbelt should lie across the upper thighs and not the stomach, while the shoulder belt should cross the shoulder and chest and not the neck or face.

This safety measure is rooted in research that shows older children who are shorter than this height are at increased risk of injury in the event of a crash, as the seatbelt may not provide adequate protection. Prior ages mentioned, such as 4 or 5 years old, do not take into account variations in growth and body types among children, making height a more universally applicable standard to ensure safety.

Only once a child exceeds this height, can they safely transition to a standard seatbelt, which is designed for adult body proportions.