Research shows that seat belts and child safety seats are the most effective safety device in preventing serious injuries and deaths in motor vehicle crashes. Seat belts have been shown to reduce the risk of fatal or serious injury by 45-50 percent. Child safety seats have been shown to reduce infant fatal injuries by 71 percent and children 1-4 years by 54 percent - yet not all states require their use for children up to age 4. AAA recommends four stages of occupant protection for child passengers. These stages are dependent on child's age and weight and are in keeping with AAA policy and the best practices of safety experts including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the American Academy of Pediatrics. AAA's approach protects all children - from infancy to age 18. You can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to learn more about child safety seats. They also provide a searchable database of child passenger safety seat technicians. Parents, make sure your child is safe when riding in a vehicle by following these guidelines! Stage1: Rear-facing child safety seat Stage 2: Forward-facing child safety seat Stage 3: Booster seat Stage 4: Lap and shoulder belts