The 2013 National Survey of the Use of Booster Seats

This technical report presents results from the 2013 National Survey of the Use of Booster Seats (NSUBS). NSUBS is the only probability-based nationwide child restraint use survey in the United States that observes restraint use and interviews an adult occupant to collect race, ethnicity, and other data. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA’s) National Center for Statistics and Analysis conducts the NSUBS. The 2013 NSUBS found that 46 percent of 4- to 7-year-old children were restrained in booster seats in 2013 as compared to 47 percent in 2011. Restraint use for all children under 13 remained the same at 91 percent in 2013. Although there were some indications of premature graduation to restraint types that are not appropriate for children’s age, height and weight, there were some improvements in use of appropriate restraint types in 2013 as compared to 2011.