Also, when the old standard was to FF at 12 months AND the law is most places allows FF at 12 months, when one promotes education about the benefits of RF, to see a person actually take the information to heart and continue to RF for an additional 12 months on top of the "standard" is a great accomplishment, even if that isn't always to the limits of the seat. It definately allowed more time for that baby's body to mature.
And if the carseat is installed correctly and used correctly, I believe that a 12 month old, 20 pounder isn't necessarily un-safe FF. But they are definately significantly safER RF.