Where did 80lbs for seat belt readiness come from?

Pixelated · Aug 24, 2013

80lbs as a marker to be out of a booster has been around for a while, and mentioned here and there. I'm wondering where it came from originally? It is part of the law in Ontario (8 or 80lbs or 4'9") but not elsewhere, like BC (9 or 4'9"). Is it a remnant of when boosters only went to 80lbs and that was the only option but to 'graduate' to the seat belt? Is there any source or research to go along with that weight for improved outcomes in the belt only?

LISmama810 · Aug 24, 2013

Pixelated said:
Is it a remnant of when boosters only went to 80lbs and that was the only option but to 'graduate' to the seat belt?

I don't know, but I would guess this is the closest answer. There are many states that use 80 lbs (or 60, or 40

) and I imagine it's based on old thinking, not actual evidence. Curious to know if anyone else knows more exact history on it though.

featherhead · Aug 24, 2013

Yeah, probably something to do with old booster weight limits. Our brand new law here in Manitoba also has 80 lbs in it.

tiggercat · Aug 24, 2013

Yes, I think it has to do with booster weight limits. Because if you have a >80lb child who is not yet 8 or 4'9, and your boosters max out at 80lb, there would be no legal way to transport them.
To me, that makes more sense than adding an 8 (or 9) year age cop out. That drives me nuts. My 8yo is tall for her age but only 65lbs and not even close to 5 stepping in any vehicle. Now I have to argue with her friend's parents when driving their kids because they're not legally required, and I hate confrontation! LOL

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YinzerMama · Aug 24, 2013

I never really got why boosters have a weight limit. I mean if my fat butt doesn't crush it, I don't think any kid's will, either. It always seemed like the height should be where they make the cut-off since it's all about how the seat belt fits, and if my kid is super fat but short, the seat belt isn't going to fit any better than a kid who is tall and thin - in fact it will fit WORSE.

But I guess they have to make a guideline somewhere and "until the seat belt fits your child in your car" is too confusing for most people.

Lemonade · Aug 24, 2013

My just turned 6 yr old nephew is 85lbs. He's the same height as my 41# 7.5 yr old. I think he still rides in a NBB. I am fairly certain they don't know he legally could go without it or he certainly would be. These kids (his older sisters are fairly average sized) boostered between ages 2 and 3, as soon as they hit 30#.
Fairly certain this child has some sort of metabolic disorder that will be Dx'd someday

Mysweethoneybee · Aug 24, 2013

My almost 6 year old is above 80lbs. Our pediatrician told us that he didn't need to ride in a booster seat anymore. I said yes he does because the seat belt doesn't fit him without a booster. All the neighbors think I am crazy because my son rides in a booster when he is as tall as the 9 and 10 year olds in the neighborhood and they don't ride in boosters. None of them are the 4'9" even but everyone seems to think as long as they reach the 8 or 80lbs they are fine to ride in a seat belt. Of course my oldest son's booster only went up to 60lbs and I don't know if there were more choices than I knew about back in 2000 but because he reached 60lbs while he was still 6 I put him in just a seatbelt (law then was child seat or booster seat until age 4). Now even if my son reached the 120lbs limit of his booster I would keep him in it unless he 5 stepped or unless he didn't fit because I am not sure a 120lb kid would fit comfortably in a booster.

_juune · Aug 27, 2013

In Europe all child car seats have an upper limit of 36 kg which is about 80lbs -- group 3 is up to 36 kg and all boosters are group 2-3 meaning 15kg to 36kg. I've heard very little advice on what to do if a child is 36kg yet very young or short. Law mostly says a car seat or a booster is mandatory up to the height of 150cm or 135cm, depending on the country.

Where did 80lbs for seat belt readiness come from?

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